Henri-Joseph Harpignies (French, 1819-1916) "Meadow Stream"

Henri-Joseph Harpignies was a French painter and printmaker who came from a prosperous family. He received art training at the provincial school and became a talented cellist who later in life took pleasure in playing the chamber music of Haydn and Beethoven. His artistic vocation was postponed by spending time in the family iron forges at Denain and at the Famars sugar refinery, nevertheless, he drew caricatures influenced by the great French satirical lithographers. In 1838, he was exposed to a wide variety of French landscapes while touring with his family friend Dr. Lacheze, who introduced Harpignies to the landscape painter and etcher Jean-Alexis Achard (1807-84). He studied with Achard in Paris in 1846. His first major group of paintings and drawings in a slightly Realist style was completed with his master at Cremieu in late 1847, but in 1848 due to the Revolution he returned home. He returned to Brussels and stayed with Archard, and produced his first succession of etchings.