Henri Baron (1816 - 1885)

Henri Baron

Henri Charles Antoine Baron was a French painter, printmaker and illustrator.

Henri studied painting with Jean Gigoux (1806-1894) and traveled with him in Italy. The Baron returned with a large number of sketches, which became a constant source of inspiration for many of his later works. He first successfully exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1840. Baron was subsequently honored with several gold medals for his work at this Salon.

Henri Baron was the author of historical scenes of social life, oriental and allegorical compositions. He painted charming Italian genre scenes and depicted Parisian social life. The artist was also recognized as a skilled watercolorist, exhibiting his watercolors continuously at the Society of French Watercolorists since 1879. Baron also illustrated works by Balzac, Boccaccio, J. J. Rousseau, Perrault's fairy tales and many others.

In addition, in collaboration with his friend F.-L. France and Célestin Nantey (1813-73), he published a three-volume edition of Ancient and Modern Painters (1848-62), a collection of lithographs based on the works of modern artists.