Jacques-Laurent Agasse Facts for Kids

The playground (Der Spielplatz)

The Nubian Giraffe, by Jacques-Laurent Agasse (c.1827). This painting shows one of the three giraffes sent to Europe by Mehmet Ali Pasha. This specific giraffe was received by King George IV in London. The man in the top hat is Edward Cross, who ran a famous animal collection. Agasse painted many animals from his collection.

Jacques-Laurent Agasse (born April 24, 1767 – died December 27, 1849) was a talented painter from Switzerland. He was especially known for his amazing paintings of animals and landscapes.

Agasse was born in Geneva, Switzerland. He started his art studies at the public art school there. Before he was 20 years old, he moved to Paris. In Paris, he studied at a special school for animal doctors (a veterinary school). He wanted to learn all about the bodies of horses and other animals. This helped him paint them very accurately.

After his studies, Agasse returned to Switzerland. A newspaper from that time mentioned how he became famous. It said that a rich Englishman, George Pitt, asked Agasse to paint his favorite dog after it had died. The Englishman loved the painting so much that he invited Agasse to come to England with him. This was a big turning point in Agasse's career.

Agasse's Art and Life in England

Jacques-Laurent Agasse became one of the most famous animal painters of his time. People admired his skill in showing animals, especially English racehorses. He was known for how much he loved art and how well he understood animal bodies.

Agasse started showing his paintings in art exhibitions in 1801. He continued to exhibit his work until 1845. He often signed his paintings as J.L. Agasse or Agassé.

Even though he was a celebrated artist, Agasse faced financial struggles. He moved homes many times, which showed he didn't have much money. However, he didn't paint for money. Instead, he was driven by his natural talent and passion for art. He simply loved to paint.

Gallery of Agasse's Paintings

Landing at Westminster Bridge, 1818. This oil painting shows a scene by the Westminster Bridge in London.
Male Quagga, painted in the early 1800s. A quagga was a type of zebra that is now extinct.
Flower Seller, 1822. This painting shows a person selling flowers.
The Last Stage on the Portsmouth Road, 1815. This painting shows a scene from a journey.
White Horse in Pasture, 1806–1807. A peaceful scene of a white horse.
A portrait of Emma Powles.
The Wellesley Grey Arabian Led through the Desert. This painting shows a horse in a desert setting.
Edinburgh and London Royal Mail. This painting shows a mail coach.
A portrait of Edward Cross (1774–1854), who owned a zoo.