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This exceptional original oil painting on canvas depicts a contemplative bearded man dressed in medieval attire, masterfully captured with rich detail and character. The warm tones, soft light, and dynamic brushwork showcase Joseph Louis Hippolyte Bellangé's signature style in what is believed to be one of his final works, dated 1865.
This signed antique painting (initialed “hyp. B.”) includes a biographical label on the stretcher, confirming its historical value and artistic significance. The canvas remains in very good condition and comes housed in an elegant gilt wood frame that complements its classic aesthetic. An extraordinary opportunity to own a piece by a celebrated 19th-century French artist, perfect for fine art collectors, museums, and antique enthusiasts.
Hippolyte Bellangé (1800–1866) was a renowned French painter, lithographer, and military scene specialist. Born and educated in Paris, Bellangé trained under Baron Antoine-Jean Gros and formed close ties with Nicolas Toussaint Charlet, becoming known early for his detailed lithographs of Napoleonic soldiers and military costumes.
He debuted at the Paris Salon with his historical battle compositions and received widespread acclaim. Bellangé was awarded the Légion d'Honneur in 1834 and again as an officer in 1861. His artworks—especially genre scenes, heroic military portraits, and war episodes—combine vivid realism with emotional depth. Bellangé also served as curator of the Versailles Military Museum and later the Rouen Museum, where he focused exclusively on painting.
Among his celebrated works are La garde meurt (1865), Les deux amis (Sevastopol), and Épisode du retour de l’île d’Elbe. His work was showcased posthumously at the 1867 Exposition Universelle. With over 500 catalogued lithographs, Bellangé’s legacy remains vital in 19th-century French art.
Artist: Hippolyte Bellangé (1800-1866).
Signed hyp. B. and label on the stretcher.
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Condition: Very good condition.
Dimensions: 56 x 46 cm. / 22 x 18 in.
Frame: 73 x 64 cm. / 28 3/4 x 25 1/4 in. Gilt wood, very good condition.
Origin: France.
