Louis Léopold Boilly, a French painter and draftsman, was born on July 5, 1761, in La Bassée, northern France. He is renowned for his exquisite portrait paintings and genre scenes that vividly document French middle-class social life during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Early Life and Career
Boilly's artistic journey began at a young age, with his first works emerging when he was just twelve or thirteen years old. He was largely self-taught, but received instruction in trompe-l'oeil painting from
Dominique Doncre. In 1774, Boilly's work caught the attention of the Augustinians of Douai, who were impressed by his talent. This led to an invitation from the bishop of Arras to work and study in his diocese, where Boilly produced over three hundred small portrait paintings.
Artistic Style and Notable Works
Boilly's early works showcased a preference for amorous and moralizing subjects, as seen in
The Suitor's Gift. His small-scale paintings, characterized by carefully mannered coloring and precise detailing, were reminiscent of 17th-century Dutch genre painters like
Gabriël Metsu,
Willem van Mieris, and
Gerard ter Borch. After 1794, Boilly's compositions became more crowded, serving as social chronicles of the urban middle class. His portraiture was highly acclaimed, with over 5,000 portraits painted during his lifetime.
Notable works by Louis Léopold Boilly can be found on WahooArt.com, including
The Arrival of a Mail-coach in the Courtyard of the Messageries and
Triumph of Marat, which is housed in the
Musée des Beaux Arts, Lille. For more information on Boilly's life and work, visit
Wikipedia.
Legacy and Later Life
Boilly was awarded a medal by the Parisian Salon in 1804 and decorated as a chevalier of the
Légion d'honneur in 1833. He died on January 4, 1845, in Paris, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most celebrated painters of his time. His youngest son,
Alphonse Boilly, was a professional engraver who apprenticed in New York with
Asher Brown Durand.
- Some of Boilly's notable works include:
- Museums featuring Boilly's work: