Meta-Impressionism / other artists:

Louis Français

1814 – 1897

A pre-impressionist in the Academie

 

Introduction:
François-Louis Français was born 1814/11/17 in Plombières-les-Bains (Vosges). He died 1897/05/18 also in Plombières.
Français was namely a pre-impressionist and a forerunner of the Barbizon painters. He was a most awarded artist.
From 1890-1897 he was member of L’Institut.
Note: This page has just been started; additional info and pictures will be added later.

 

Français as an artist:
Louis Français was a pupil of J. Gigoux and Corot.
He was a landscapist and befriended with the Barbizon-painters.
But, some sources don’t include him as a Barbizon painter (R290).

 

Français at the Salon:
He made his debut at the Salon of 1837, received a 3rd class medal (Paysage) in 1841 and a 1st class medal in 1848.
In 1890 he received a Médaille d’Honneur.

 

Français at the Exposition Universelle:
At the Exposition Universelle in 1855 he exhibited five paintings and received a 1st class medal.
In 1867 also five.
In 1878 three paintings and 6 watercolours.
In 1889 at the Oeuvres d’Art 10 paintings.
And at the Centennale of 1889 five paintings, 6 watercolours, 2 drawings and 10 lithos.
Posthumously at the Exposition Centennale in 1900 2 landscapes were shown (R231-2).

 

 

Français a most awarded artist:
In 1855 and in 1867 Louis Français received a 1st class medal and in 1878 a medaille d’Honneur; in 1889 he joined Hors Concours.
He was appointed in the Légion d’Honneur, 1853/07/26 as Chevalier and in 1867 as Officier.

 

Français, member of L’Institut:
L’Institut is often seen as a conservative bastion, namely defending the néo-classicist painting style. But, Louis Français, a pre-impressionist landscapist, also was a member from 1890-97. Still, he already was 75 when he became a member.

 

Français and the Société des Aquarellistes Français:
Member of the Société des Aquarellistes Français (iR19). Exhibited at the 2nd Salon des Aquarellistes Français in 1888 (iR19).

 

 

Sources:
Catalogues of the Salon (R337/1891; iR1).
Catalogues of the Expositions Universelle (R231).
Info and pictures on the internet: iR3; iR4; iR6; iR23.
See the link for other general References (=Rx) and to the internet references (=iRx).
See links for practical hints and abbreviations and for the subscription of the paintings.

 

For further reading:

 

Additional references:

 

 

Recommanded citation: “Meta-Impressionism: Louis Français (1814-1897), a pre-impressionist in the Academie. Last modified 2025/11/25. ”

 

 

Note: additional info and pictures will be added.