Charles (Joshua) Chaplin
French, 1825 - 1891
When one hears the name Chaplin, we immediately make the inevitable link to the legendary comic actor Charlie. However, in the 19th century there was already a famous Charles Chaplin. This Charles Chaplin was born on 8th June 1825 in Andelys, France and died in Paris on the 20th of January 1891.
-Chaplin began is formal studies in 1840 at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts as a student of Michel-Martin Drolling [the younger] (1786-1851). Upon finishing his studies, he had developed into an accomplished painter, pastellist, etcher and lithographer. Charles debuted at the Salon of 1845 with a portrait of a young woman. This painting brought attention to Chaplin's ability to paint magical portraits of women and children and would crystallize his career making him one of Frances most famous painters.
Starting in 1847, Chaplin would become a regular exhibitor at the Paris Salons and at the Royal Academy in London. Besides his portraits of young women and children, he also exhibited landscapes and animal portraits. However, his most sought after and impressive works are of beautiful women executed with soft pastel values, with a preference of white, silvery gray and pink following the tradition of the great English portraitists of the 18th century.
Many of Chaplin's paintings are considered very erotic. He often painted very provocative portraits of women wearing transparent clothing. In fact, "Aurora" which he presented to the Salon jury of 1859 was refused as scandalous and the Count de Nieuwerkerke, superintendent of the fine arts under Napoleon III, imposed an exhibition prohibition for this painting. But Napoleon III would abolish this prohibition order.
Charles Chaplin became Paris' most popular fashion painter. He was also Napoleon and l'imperatrice Eugene's favorite court painters during the 1860's. Charles Chaplin was also a teacher at his own atelier, which was reserved for women only. His most noted students were Norwegian artist Marie Helene Aarestrup (1826-?), Louise Abbema (1858-1927) and Mary Cassatt (1855-1926).
Charles Chaplin was awarded medals at the Salons throughout the course of his career. In 1878, he was elected to Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur and he became an officer in the Legion 1881.
Museums:
London, England
South Kensington: "La peche", "Rose de mai"
Victoria Albert Museum: Several engravings
Florence, Italy
Palais Pitti: "La dame aux Lilas"
Tokoyo, Japan
Morenci Museum, "reverie"
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Hermitage, "toilette du matin", "jeune fille au nid"
Turkey
Palais Dolmabacie, "jeune femme"
France
Bayonne: Musee Bonnat "la nuit"
Bayeux: "une rue d'Auvergne"
Bordeaux: "L'appel dans les bruyeres"
Bourges: "le chateau de cartes", "Saint Celestin, pape"
Marseille: "le reve"
Mulhouse: "Jeune Fille (water color)", "Jeune Fille (engraving)", "Primavera", "Dame en Rose", "Petite fille en priere", "Baigneuse"
Paris, Musee de Orsay: A large mural.
Reims: "Femme assise"
Rouen, "le jeu de loto"
Saintes: portrait study (water color)
Listed:
E. Benezit, vol. II, pgs. 663-4
Dictionnaire des Petits Maitres de la Peinture, 1820-1920, vol.I, A-H
Biography courtesy of Roughton Galleries, www.antiquesandfineart.com/roughton
-Chaplin began is formal studies in 1840 at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts as a student of Michel-Martin Drolling [the younger] (1786-1851). Upon finishing his studies, he had developed into an accomplished painter, pastellist, etcher and lithographer. Charles debuted at the Salon of 1845 with a portrait of a young woman. This painting brought attention to Chaplin's ability to paint magical portraits of women and children and would crystallize his career making him one of Frances most famous painters.
Starting in 1847, Chaplin would become a regular exhibitor at the Paris Salons and at the Royal Academy in London. Besides his portraits of young women and children, he also exhibited landscapes and animal portraits. However, his most sought after and impressive works are of beautiful women executed with soft pastel values, with a preference of white, silvery gray and pink following the tradition of the great English portraitists of the 18th century.
Many of Chaplin's paintings are considered very erotic. He often painted very provocative portraits of women wearing transparent clothing. In fact, "Aurora" which he presented to the Salon jury of 1859 was refused as scandalous and the Count de Nieuwerkerke, superintendent of the fine arts under Napoleon III, imposed an exhibition prohibition for this painting. But Napoleon III would abolish this prohibition order.
Charles Chaplin became Paris' most popular fashion painter. He was also Napoleon and l'imperatrice Eugene's favorite court painters during the 1860's. Charles Chaplin was also a teacher at his own atelier, which was reserved for women only. His most noted students were Norwegian artist Marie Helene Aarestrup (1826-?), Louise Abbema (1858-1927) and Mary Cassatt (1855-1926).
Charles Chaplin was awarded medals at the Salons throughout the course of his career. In 1878, he was elected to Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur and he became an officer in the Legion 1881.
Museums:
London, England
South Kensington: "La peche", "Rose de mai"
Victoria Albert Museum: Several engravings
Florence, Italy
Palais Pitti: "La dame aux Lilas"
Tokoyo, Japan
Morenci Museum, "reverie"
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Hermitage, "toilette du matin", "jeune fille au nid"
Turkey
Palais Dolmabacie, "jeune femme"
France
Bayonne: Musee Bonnat "la nuit"
Bayeux: "une rue d'Auvergne"
Bordeaux: "L'appel dans les bruyeres"
Bourges: "le chateau de cartes", "Saint Celestin, pape"
Marseille: "le reve"
Mulhouse: "Jeune Fille (water color)", "Jeune Fille (engraving)", "Primavera", "Dame en Rose", "Petite fille en priere", "Baigneuse"
Paris, Musee de Orsay: A large mural.
Reims: "Femme assise"
Rouen, "le jeu de loto"
Saintes: portrait study (water color)
Listed:
E. Benezit, vol. II, pgs. 663-4
Dictionnaire des Petits Maitres de la Peinture, 1820-1920, vol.I, A-H
Biography courtesy of Roughton Galleries, www.antiquesandfineart.com/roughton
