Charles A. Jaques Paintings

Charles Emile Jacque was a French painter and engraver who was born on May 23, 1813, in Paris, France. He is often mistakenly referred to as Charles A. Jaques, which is a misspelling of his surname. Jacque is best known for his rustic genre paintings and his work as an animalière, an artist who specializes in the portrayal of animals. He was a key figure in the Barbizon school of painting, a movement that emphasized naturalism and the depiction of rural life.

Jacque began his career as a soldier, serving in the French army from 1831 to 1836. After leaving the military, he worked as a draftsman and lithographer, creating illustrations for books and magazines. It was during this time that he started to experiment with etching and engraving. Jacque's early artistic work was influenced by the Dutch genre paintings of the 17th century, which is evident in his detailed engravings and his focus on scenes of peasant life.

In the 1840s, Jacque shifted his focus to painting, and he began to develop his signature style, which often included landscapes and barnyard scenes with sheep and poultry. His work from this period shows a profound understanding of animal anatomy and behavior, and he became renowned for his ability to capture the essence of rural life. Jacque's paintings are characterized by their textured surfaces and moody atmospheres, often with a rich palette and strong chiaroscuro.

Jacque was an active participant in the Barbizon school, joining other artists such as Jean-François Millet, Théodore Rousseau, and Jules Dupré in the village of Barbizon near the Forest of Fontainebleau. This group of artists rejected the classical and romantic traditions of the French Academy, instead choosing to paint en plein air (outdoors) and to focus on the honest depiction of nature.

Throughout his career, Jacque exhibited his work at the Paris Salon, where he received several awards, including a second-class medal in 1861 and a first-class medal in 1863. His work was also exhibited in London and Brussels, where it was well-received by critics and the public alike.

Charles Emile Jacque continued to paint and engrave until his death on May 7, 1894, in Paris. His legacy lives on through his contribution to the Barbizon school and his influence on future generations of animal painters and naturalist artists. His works are held in numerous museum collections around the world, including the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.