An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
The Fallen Branch, Fontainebleauc. 1816
Artist: Achille Etna Michallon
French, 1796 - 1822
plant-covered boulders in foreground, a large branch or tree has broken off and lays atop the boulders with brown dying leaves toward left background; lush dense forest spotted by birch trees at background.
16 1/4 x 20 1/4 in. (41.28 x 51.44 cm) (sight)
22 3/4 x 26 3/4 x 2 3/4 in. (57.79 x 67.95 x 6.99 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas on card
Painting
France
19th century
The Margaret G. Deal Fund and Gift of funds from the Paintings Council
In the gentle embrace of a sunlit studio, nestled within the heart of early 19th-century France, a young artist named Michallon meticulously wielded his brush. At just 14, his talent blossomed—a true prodigy in a world that craved inspiration. The year was 1817, and a remarkable honor awaited him: the prestigious Prix de Rome for landscape painting, bestowed by the revered French Academy.
His winning piece, "A Woman Struck by Lightening," stood before the judges, a poignant tableau capturing the raw power of nature; a solitary figure, overwhelmed by a massive tree limb, told a tale of unexpected turmoil. This work, a study executed in open air, wasn’t merely a competition piece; it was a glimpse into the artist's evolving thought process and deep connection to nature’s fury and grace.
Not long before, in 1816, Michallon had embarked on an artistic journey with "The Oak and the Marsh," an illustration inspired by a fable penned by Jean de La Fontaine. This piece marked his first significant commission, intertwining his artistry with the rich tapestry of French literature. With strokes that echoed the whispers of the marsh and the strength of the mighty oak, Michallon enchanted viewers, drawing them into a world of moral lessons painted in exquisite detail.
Moreover, this talented young man would soon become a guiding light himself, for he took on the role of mentor to Camille Corot, an influential figure in the evolution of French landscape painting. As Michallon stood on the threshold of his artistic future, he carried with him a legacy intertwined with nature, literature, and the wisdom of sharing one's art. Each stroke of his brush not only captured the world around him but also painted the story of a remarkable journey that would inspire generations to come.
About the artist
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