Henri Harpignies

Born to an upper middle-class family of entrepreneurs in Famars, near Valenciennes, Harpginies won a prize for drawing when he was fourteen. Deciding against joining his father's sugar refinery business, he began to travel through France, appreciating the landscape. He traveled to Rome in 1849 and began devoting his time to producing watercolors. By the 1870s, he had achieved official success and would remain active in producing and exhibiting his work into the twentieth century, being called the “peintre eternelle” for his longevity. The inscription on this sheet indicates it was executed in honor of the artist's mother and possibly represents the family home at Famars. Harpginies's father died in 1870, and his mother remained in the home until she died in 1886.
The inscription on this sheet indicates it was executed in honor of the artist's mother and possibly represents the family home at Famars. Harpginies's father died in 1870, and his mother remained in the home until she died in 1886.