Auguste Laurent Boulard: Difference between revisions

French painter and etcher (1852-1927)

Auguste Laurent Boulard (February 29, 1852 – December 5, 1927), also known as Auguste Boulard fils, was a French painter and etcher.

Auguste Laurent Boulard was born on February 29, 1852, in Paris, France.^[1] He was the firstborn son of Auguste Boulard.^[2]

His earliest instruction came from his father, a respected Parisian painter.^[3] He trained at the studio of Victor Foulquier, followed by instruction in etching from Félix Bracquemond. In 1872, he joined the studio of Jean-Léon Gérôme at the École des Beaux-Arts, remaining for six years. His debut at the Paris Salon took place in 1873.^[1]

He etched a portrait of French artist Honoré Daumier, which was exhibited at the Salon of 1881.^[4] He received an honorable mention at the Paris Salon in 1882, followed by a third-class medal at the Salon of 1883.^[5] He later received a bronze medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition.^[1]

Boulard’s early reputation was established by an etching after Édouard Detaille‘s My Old Regiment (Mon vieux régiment).^[1] His etching Le salut au drapeau d’après Detaille was published as a print by Georges Petit in October 1884 and is part of the Petit Palais collection.^[6]

He etched the illustrations for André Theuriet‘s Le secret de Gertrude in 1890.^[7]

In 1892, he earned a first-class medal at the Paris Salon.^[5]

Auguste, the younger Boulard, gained recognition in the second half of the century as an engraver, especially for reproductions after paintings by Ernest Meissonier.^[8] In 1894, Boulard, then residing on the Île Saint-Louis at 29 Quai de Bourbon, exhibited Le Femeur (after Meissonier) in the etching category of the Antwerp Universal Exhibition of Fine Arts.^[9]

Boulard was recognized with a Medal of Honor (Médaille d’Honneur) in the engraving and lithography category at the 1900 Salon of the Société des Artistes Français on April 21, 1900. The painter-engraver secured 49 of 56 votes.^[8][10] He was awarded a Gold Medal (Médaille d’Or) following the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris.^[11] He was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor that same year.^[10]

In 1903, a visit to Pontrieux led him to discover the port of Loguivy-de-la-Mer. He acquired land at Beg an Enez in Loguivy-de-la-Mer and, in 1913, built a house where his family stayed seasonally for six months out of the year. The house included a studio for painting and engraving, allowing him to practice etching.^[12]

His wife, Pauline, was the granddaughter of the French historian and writer Jules Michelet.^[12]

Auguste Boulard Jr. died on December 5, 1927.^[13] His remains are laid to rest at Père Lachaise Cemetery.^[12]

Media related to Auguste Boulard (fils) at Wikimedia Commons