Charles Zacharie Landelle

Available for sale from Big Sky Fine Art in the English county of Dorset, this original oil painting is by the French artist Charles Landelle and dates from the 1860s. <br> The painting is presented and supplied in its original frame (which is shown in these photographs).<br> The frame and the painted panel surface have both benefitted from cleaning, restoration and conservation, which was performed on our instruction, supervision and approval. <br> This antique painting is in very good condition. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display.<br> The painting is signed lower left.<br> <br> Charles Landelle is considered to be an important genre, portrait and historical painter from the French school. He travelled widely, moved effortlessly among the higher echelons of society, and is best known for his Orientalist works.<br> <br> He was born in Laval, Mayenne, on 2 June 1812. When he was 15 his family moved to Paris because of his father’s role in the government, and he did not return to Laval until the latter part of his life. <br> <br> Landelle was encouraged to become a painter by Ary Scheffer, an acquaintance of his father through the Orléans court. He enrolled at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1837 as a student of Paul Delaroche and studied there for three years. He made his debut at the Paris Salon in 1841 with religious works and portraits that won the admiration of critics and visitors alike.<br> <br> By 1844 Landelle was represented by the famous dealer Adolphe Goupil, and later, through the dealer Theo van Gogh, he gained the patronage of the Dutch King. His work also came to the attention of the French King Louis Phillipe, and he subsequently became an official painter and received numerous state commissions. He won a third class medal in 1842 and a first class medal in 1848. His portrait sitters often came from a high level of society. In 1852 Emperor Napolean III purchased several of his works, two of which were given as gifts to his hometown. The Emperor became a great admirer and appointed him Knight of the Legion d’Honneur. He won a medal at the 1855’s Universal Exhibition and in Philadelphia in 1876. <br> <br> In 1845 Landelle travelled to Italy to study the early Renaissance masters and the effect of this tour is reflected in the numerous public commissions he was subsequently awarded. These include allegorical paintings such as La Renaissance for the Salle des Bijous at the Louvre. In 1859, he decorated six door tops for the Hall of the aide de camp at the Elysée Palace, depicting the four elements and the Allegories of War and Peace. He also decorated the salon of the Elysee. Important public commissions also included paintings for the Parisian churches of Saint-Roch, Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois and Saint-Sulpice. Alongside these commissions Landelle produced a stream of paintings of beautiful women throughout his career. <br> <br> Landelle was part of an official mission to Morocco in 1866, as part of Napolean III’s embassy. He was fascinated by the landscapes and from this time onwards he became passionate about Orientalist art. He became an active member of the Society of French Orientalist Painters. He travelled through Egypt and the Nile in 1875 with Mariette, the famous Egyptologist. He then travelled to Algeria in 1880 with his son Georges. From 1881 to 1892 he used to stay every winter in Algeria, and visited Algiers, Biskra, El-Kantara, sharing his love for the country with the painters Auguste Renoir and Paul Leroy. <br> <br> Landelle’s private life was tinged with tragedy. He married and had two sons, but sadly both his wife and sons pre-deceased him. He married again later in life. <br> <br> In his later years Landelle did much to contribute to the creation of the Fine Art Museum of Laval, donating some of his own works as well as other more ancient paintings. At the peak of his fame in 1895, he opened the museum alongside the French President Félix Faure. Today it is known as the Musée des Sciences. <br> <br> Landelle died on 13 October 1908, without descendants, but recognised as an incredibly successful artist. He had exhibited in over 200 exhibitions in France between 1841 and 1908. He also exhibited in the United States, Austria and London. During his lifetime, with the backing of Goupil, Landelle’s works achieved exorbitant prices. Their widespread diffusion in public and private collections throughout the world today still testify to his success.<br> <br> Today the largest number of his works are in Laval, but may also be seen at the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, Musée Ingres, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Reims, Musée de Grenoble and the Musée de Beaux-Arts de Rouen. In the US his works are found in many prominent collections. In the UK there is a striking example of his work in the large portrait of Judith in the Russell Cotes collection in Bournemouth, Dorset. <br> <br> © Big Sky Fine Art<br> <br> This original oil on panel is signed by the acclaimed artist Charles Landelle in the lower left section. The scene shows a young couple in a rural setting, and both are dressed in plain working clothes. The young woman is sitting on a sheaf of hay, whilst a young man sits behind her, gently tickling her with an ear of corn. She puts up her hands in mock defence, smiling and giggling at his endeavours. It is a charming scene, of innocent fun and simple times.