Charles Emile Hippolyte Lecomte Vernet

Emile Lecomte-Vernet (1821-1900) was born in Paris in 1821 and died in the same city in 1900. He was considered a historical and figure painter from the French Orientalist school. As a member of one of Paris's most elite artist families; great grandfather Claude Joseph Vernet (1714-1789), grandfather Carle Antoine Charles Horace (1758-1836), son of d'Hippolyte Lecomte (1781-1857) and the nephew of Emile Jean Horace Vernet (1789-1863), Lecomte-Vernet was greatly influenced. However, the largest influence came from French masters (uncle) Horace Vernet and Leon Cogniet (1894-1880) at the l'Ecole de Beau-Arts. They recognized the genius in Emile Lecomte-Vernet. His great grandfather was considered a prodigy and they felt that Emile was as well. Under their guidance, they watched him bloom. Rarely had they witnessed such a young artist being able to grasp painting so easily and with such energy. Like a composer, Emile was able to develop an original approach to figure painting. His canvases were filled with color and each figure came to life because of his lavish attention detail. Lecomte-Vernet debuted at the Paris Salon of 1846 and was awarded a bronze medal. He was a regular exhibitor at the salons from 1883-1892. Two of his more important murals exist today at the l'eglise de Saint-Louis-en l'Ile and at the Plais de Justice de Paris.