Henri-Joseph Harpignies
(1819 - 1916)
"Henri-Joseph Harpignies was born at Valenciennes on July 28th, 1819. At first a commercial traveller, Harpignies decided quite early in life to devote himself to painting. He took lessons from the landscape painter Achard, and went off to Italy; his first Salon picture was a View of Capri in 1853. His early pictures are clearly influenced by Corot, but his own personality quickly asserted itself. He travelled around France, painting all the different regions without preference. His reputation as a painter and a water colorist grew. He was made Knight, Officer, and Commander of the Legion of Honor. Thanks to his water colors, Harpignies occupied an important place in the Barbizon School. He died at Saint-Prive (Yonne) on August 28th, 1916." FRENCH PAINTING, 1800-1870; Francois Fosca; 1960.