Timoléon Marie Lobrichon

Biography of Timoléon Marie Lobrichon ( 1831-1914 )

A genre scenes and portrait painter, Timoleon Lobrichon was born in Cornod, France on April 26, 1831. He received a formal artistic training with François Edouard Picot at the Paris Beaux-Arts Academy.

In 1859, he started exhibiting at the French Artists Salon and was awarded a first class medal in 1868. Lobrichon became one of the most sought after and praised painter for his portraits of children. With a great sensitivity, he was able to capture the character and personality of each child, that he used to depict in a given situation or activity : playing games, studying or strolling, so that, rather than making just a portrait, Lobrichon created a story which involved the child’s features and mood. (« The reading class », purchased by the French State in 1864 ; « Being punished » 1865 Salon ; « Croquemitaine’s luggage », 1876 Salon ; « The Last rehearsal », 1906 Salon).

In 1884,  he illustrated the very popular book « La Chanson de l’Enfant »,(the song of a child) by Jean Aicard. In 1873, the New York Knoedler Gallery on Fifth Avenue, exhibited a Goupil’s engraving of one of his work « Compulsory education » contributing to increase his popularity in the USA. He also exhibited in Germany and in Melbourne.

In 1882 he was awarded the French Légion d’Honneur. He died in Paris in January 1914.