Introduction: The presentation of awards was an important componant of the Salon, it’s successor the Salon de la Sociéte des Artistes Français and at the Exposition Universelle. On this page you will find pictures of highly awarded paintings, those that received a 1st class or golden medal. The focus is on the years 1855 – 1900. I will render these pictures by form and chronological by date of the award.
You will see that it weren’t only Néo-Classisicist art-works that were awarded and that already at the Exposition Universelle of 1855 several Barbizon painters were awarded. Later on also partakers of the ‘impressionist’ expositions would receive some kinds of awards, namely at the Exposition Universelle of 1900.
See seperate page on the most awarded pictures, that received a medaille d’honneur or a grand prix. Another way of awarding an artist, was when the state purchased an art-work of an artist or rendered an assignment. A prestigious award for an artist was to be appointed in the Légion d’Honneur. See the links if you want more general info on these awards, an overview of most awarded artists and highly awarded artists and a chronological overview.
Note: If you double click on the first (of a cluster of) pictures and then click on full screen, you can create a slideshow. On a smartphone or laptop you can also zoom in. Enjoy!
Corot (1796-1875): 1855ca, CR1101, La charette, souvenir de Marcoussis, 98×130, Orsay (M1;iR10;R231;R119,no1101) =EU/S1855-2792, Souvenir de Marcoussis, près Montlhéry (purchased by Napoleon III) (1st class medal) =EU-C-1889-164, La Charette (appartient à M. Tavernier)
Théodore Rousseau (1812-1867): 1852-54, The Edge of the Woods at Mont Gerard, Fontainebleau, 80×122, Metropolitan (iR2;iR1;M23) =EU-1855-3934, Lisière des Monts-Gérard, forêt de Fontainebleau (1st class medal).
Constant Troyon (1810-65): 1855, Cattle Ploughing in the Early Morning, 260×400, Orsay (iR2;M1;R231;iR1) =EU=S1855-4094, Les boeufs allant au labour; effet du matin; 1st class medal.
Charles-François Daubigny (1817-78): 1857, The Big Valley of the Optevoz (Isère; or the pond), 97×194, Louvre (iR2;iR1;R231;M5) =S1857-689, Vallée d’Optevoz (Isère) = EU-1867-185 -> 2x 1st class medal
Pils (Isidore; 1813-1875): 1857, The landing of the French army in The Crimea, 1854/09/14 (detail), xx, MF Ajaccio Corsica (iR6;iR1) = S1857-2164, Le débarquement de l’armée française en Crimée.
Daubigny (1817-78): 1859, Riverbank on the Oise, 122×213, MBA Bordeaux (iR10;iR6;iR23;iR2;iR1;R231) =S1859-767 =EU1867-189, Les bords de l’Oise -> 2x 1st class medal
Daubigny (1817-78): 1864-1872, Cliffs at Villerville-sur-Mer, 100×200, Mesdag The Hague (iR2;iR1;R231;R290,p148;M76) =S1864-503 =EU-1867-191, Villerville-sur-Mer -> 1ste class medal
Jules Breton (1827-1906): 1857, The Blessing of the Wheat in Artois, 130×320, MBA Arras (iR2;iR1;R231;M174) S1857-381 (-> 2nd class medal) =EU1867-83, La Bénédiction des blés (Artois) (-> 1st class medal + Officier LdH)
Jean-François Millet (1814-75): 1862-64, Bergère avec son troupeau, 81×101, Orsay (iRx;M1;iR1;R231) =S1864-1362 (-> medal) =EU1867-475
Félix Bracquemond: S1866-252, Portrait de Mme P.M… (-> medal peinture) =1866, Portrait de Mme Paul Meurice, 126×100, MNC Compiègne (R73,p25+8;iR1;iR10;M200)
Alexandre Cabanel (1823-89): Saint Louis prisoner in Palestine (4th panel of the Fresco of the Life of Saint Louis), xx, Panthéon, Paris (iR6;R231) =EU-1878-160, Saint Louis roi de France (colonnement de droit) (-> Grande médaille d’honneur)
Giuseppe de Nittis: 1875, SDbl, DMM611, Place des Pyramides, 92×75, Orsay (iR2;iR36;iR6;iR1;R231;R277,no611;R89,no82;M1) =S1876-1544 (-> 1st class medal); =EU1878-Italie-55 (-> 1st class medal + Chevalier LdH); =!? MdL-1912-664 (aR5=iR261); =Venice-1914-21, The Place des Pyramides in Paris
Félix Bracquemond: 1880, Portrait of Edmond de Goncourt, etch (?), 60×31, St. Louis AM (iR10;iR243;iR6;R2,p318;R90II,p159;R85,no54)
Jean-François Raffaëlli: S1877-1755, La famille de Jean-le-Boîteux, paysans de Plougasnou (Finistère) =1876, The Family of Jean the Lame, Peasants from Plougasnou, Finistère, 188×152, MdLuxembourgh Paris (iR2;iR1;aR7;aR14;R88;R9,p607;R231/iR40) = se1884-18 =EU-C-1889-565, La famille de Jean-le-Boiteux; paysans de Plougasnou (Finistère) (golden medal)
Jean-François Raffaëlli: 1884, Blacksmiths taking a Drink, 77×57, MC Douai (iR2;iR1;aR7,p224;R85XI,no15;R231;M176) =!? XX-1885-5 =!? SdAF-1885-3131, Forgerons =EU-OdA-1889-II-1599, Forgerons buvant (dessin rehaussé à l’huile) (-> golden medal) =EU-C-1900-541, Les Forgerons buvant
Jean-François Raffaëlli: SdAF-1886-1954, Chez le fondeur =1886, At the Foundry, 128×169, MBA Lyon (Orsay) (iR204;iR6;iR1;iR2;aR7;R231/iR40;R3;M217;M1) =EU-OdA-1889-….,
Chez Gonon, le fondeur (-> golden medal) =EU-C-1900-540, Chez le fondeur (Musée de Lyon)
