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Jean Ferdinand Chaigneau was one of the, ‘Little Masters,’ of the Barbizon School. He certainly deserved this title, as he lived, and died at Barbizon, and loved the surrounding countryside. He was to depict it, time and time again, in his paintings. He was born in Bordeaux, and was brought up by his Grandfather, who was a collector, and founder of the Museum of Public Instruction. He spent two years studying drawing in Bordeaux, and then moved to Paris in 1847.

In Paris, he lived with his uncle, the painter of marine, and landscapes scenes, Raymond Eugene Goethals. He became friends with, and studied under the painter Jacques-Raymond Brascassat, who was well known for his paintings of animals. Brascassat loved animals so much, that he kept a wolf and two foxes in a stable near his studio. He was also to study with the painters, Picot and Coignet, but it was Brascassat who was to have a big influence on the young Chaigneau. Chaigneau also began to take classes at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.

It was through his association with Brascassat, that he developed the wish to paint both landscapes, and animals. His debut at the Salon was in 1848, with a painting entitled, ‘Memories of the surroundings of Bordeaux.’ He was to go on to send landscapes of Normandy, Auvergne, and Limousin to the Salon.

The year 1858, was to be an important one for him. He took the decision to move to Barbizon to be close to the nature that he loved, and the artists that he admired. He became particularly good friends with Jean- Francois Millet, and Charles Emile Jacque. It was however, Emile Jacque that was to have the biggest influence on him, and had a particular influence on his choice of subject matter. Emile Jacque was of course well known, as a great landscape, and animal painter of the time. He was especially well known for his depiction of sheep. Chaigneau was to follow in his footsteps, and began to produce scenes of the Forest of Fontainebleau, as well as scenes from the Forest of Chailly. He also, like Emile Jacque produced an enormous number of paintings, depicting flocks of sheep.

It was Emile Jacque who taught him to produce etchings, and he produced his first published etchings in 1864. He also produced watercolours. He was a very successful artist of his time. The State bought a number of his paintings, including in 1870, a painting, entitled, ‘Flock of Sheep in the Plains.’ He also, was well known internationally, and between 1868, and 1881, he was to exhibit in Paris and London. He also exhibited in Spain, and in Chile. The American dealer, Samuel Putman Avery purchased a number of his paintings for American collectors.

Throughout his time at Barbizon his love of animal painting was at the forefront, and he created the, ‘Society of Animal Painters,’ with Charles Emile Jacque. Chaigneau also began to teach art students in Barbizon, and his son who was also a student of his, exhibited his first painting at the age of seventeen, at the Salon of 1896.

Sadly, a creeping paralysis meant that he gradually had trouble in painting. He died at Barbizon, surrounded by the nature and animals that he loved so much.

If you believe you own a work of art by Jean Ferdinand Chaigneau, contact Art Experts. We authenticate, appraise, research and provide Certificates of Authenticity (COA’s) for works by Jean Ferdinand Chaigneau.