Portrait of a Breton woman

Portrait of a Breton woman in profile, oil on canvas signed top right "H.Brispot", Henri Brispot was born on July 5, 1846 in Beauvais, Henri Brispot was the son of Pierre Henri Brispot, mayor of Mouy. He first studied with Émile Lassalle, then joined the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was a pupil of Léon Bonnat. Based in Paris, he exhibited regularly at the Salon des artistes français until 1927. Brispot excelled in genre painting, capturing scenes of everyday life with irony and empathy. He was particularly fond of humorous depictions of the clergy, using cardinal red to enrich his compositions. His works ranged from benevolent observation, such as Chez le barbier (Salon of 1896), to social criticism, such as Le Bon bourgeois (Salon of 1893). 3rd class medal at the 1881 Salon. Silver medal at the 1889 Universal Exhibition. Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1898. Painting framed with a large moulded oak rod. Note a small restoration.