Hippolyte Bellangé

About the Painting

This original oil painting on canvas depicts a contemplative bearded man dressed in medieval attire, 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, just one year before his death in 1866.

The subject wears period costume that evokes the medieval or Renaissance era, a theme that interested many 19th-century French artists as part of the broader Romantic movement's fascination with historical subjects. The painting demonstrates Bellangé's skill in portraiture and character study, showing the same attention to detail and emotional depth that characterized his better-known military scenes.

This signed painting (initialed "hyp. B.") includes a biographical label on the stretcher, confirming its historical value and provenance. The canvas remains in very good condition and is housed in an elegant gilt wood frame. The work represents a departure from Bellangé's typical military subjects, offering insight into the artist's range during his final creative period.

About the Artist

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, one of the leading painters of Napoleonic military subjects, 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 throughout his career. Bellangé was awarded the Légion d'Honneur in 1834 and elevated to officer rank in 1861, recognizing his contributions to French art. His artworks—especially genre scenes, heroic military portraits, and war episodes—combine vivid realism with emotional depth, capturing the spirit of Napoleonic France and its military legacy.

Beyond his painting career, Bellangé served as curator of the Versailles Military Museum and later the Rouen Museum, where he focused exclusively on painting during his final years. This administrative experience gave him deep knowledge of military history and costume, which informed the authenticity of his historical works.

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 in Paris. With over 500 catalogued lithographs and numerous paintings, Bellangé's legacy remains significant in 19th-century French art, particularly in the genre of military painting and Napoleonic imagery.

Technical Details

Artist: Hippolyte Bellangé (1800-1866)
Signed: Initialed "hyp. B." with biographical label on stretcher
Date: 1865
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 56 x 46 cm / 22 x 18 in
Frame: 73 x 64 cm / 28¾ x 25¼ in, gilt wood, very good condition
Origin: France

A late work by a celebrated French military painter and Légion d'Honneur recipient.