Artist Jehan Georges Vibert | French Painter (19th century )

Jean Georges Vibert one of most remarkable french artists of the 19th century (born in September 30, 1840, Paris - July 28, 1902, ibid.) - French academic painter, watercolorist and playwright.

He received his primary art education from his maternal grandfather, a former engraver. Then he worked as an apprentice with Felix-Joseph Barria, and in 1857 he entered the National High School of Fine Arts. In parallel with his studies, he worked in the workshop of François Picot for six years. Since 1863 he exhibited his works at the Paris Salon, but received recognition only a year after the first attempt. Received medals of the Salon in 1864 and 1867, also won the third prize at the World Exhibition in 1878. Traveled in Spain; fought at the front during the Franco-Prussian War, was wounded in October 1870 at the Battle of Malmaison, for which he was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor, and in 1882 received an officer's rank. He exhibited his works in the Salon until 1899; He died suddenly of heart disease and was buried in the Pere Lachaise cemetery.

He painted mainly watercolors; initially created canvases on serious mythological and religious subjects with a large number of naked characters ("Narcissus", "Daphnis and Chloe"), but then turned to themes of everyday life and satire; his genre paintings with anecdotal and ironic overtones, often depicting human vices and weaknesses (The Departure of the Newlyweds, The Dragonfly and the Ant, Serenade), enjoyed great fame and popularity. "Shah!" ("Check!", Or "Check - Napoleon and the Cardinal") - the most famous similar painting by Jean Georges Viber on the plot of an episode from the life of Napoleon I Bonaparte. In the last years of his life, he painted several paintings ridiculing the luxurious life of the highest clergy. One of his most famous works was The Apotheosis of Thiers, a large semi-fantastic painting, first exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1878 and then placed in the collection of the Luxembourg Museum. He also wrote four plays for the theater.