Théodule Ribot

Biography of Théodule Ribot ( 1823-1891 )

Augustin Théodule Ribot was born in Saint-Nicolas-d'Attez in 1823. 

Son of a civil engineer, Ribot first studied linear and geometric drawing. He then entered the school of arts in Chalons. Moving to Paris in 1845, he was employed as a shop assistant while studying in the studio of the painter Auguste-Barthélemy Glaize. 

After a stay of three years in Algeria to supervise and direct constructions, he returned to Paris in 1851, and made a large number of drawings for industrialists and copies of Antoine Watteau intended for the United States. He was painting for himself at night. 

He participated in the Salon from 1861, where he began with six paintings of kitchen and barnyard interior that made him known to the public. He then exhibited, among others, “Prayer of the Little Girls”, “Morning Bath” (1864), “Song of the Canticle”, “Retamers”, “the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian” (1865) acquired by the State for Luxembourg, “Christ and the Doctors”, “the Flutter” (1866); “the Supplice of the corners”, “an Old man” (1867).  

He obtained a third class medal in 1864 and 1865, and for the exhibition of 1878. He moved at that time to Colombes, but became ill and abandoned the painting little by little. 

Théodule Ribot also made etching and watercolors, historical scenes, religious compositions, still lifes, portraits and genre scenes. 

He was appointed Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1878, he was an officer in 1887.