Jehan Georges Vibert

Jehan Georges Vibert (30 September 1840-1902) was a French academic painter.

Biography

Vibert was born September 30, 1840 in Paris. He began his artistic training at a young age under the instruction of his maternal grandfather, engraver Jean-Pierre-Marie Jazet. He was more interested in painting than engraving and entered the studio of Félix-Joseph Barrias and eventually the École des Beaux-Arts when he was sixteen. He remained at the École for six years under the instruction of historic painter François-Edouard Picot.

Vibert debuted at the Salon of 1863 with "La Sieste" (The Siesta) and "Repentir" (Repentance).

During the Franco-Prussian War, Vibert became a sharpshooter and was wounded at the battle of Malmaison in October of 1870. He was awarded the Légion d’Honneur and became a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in recognition of his sacrifice. He became an Officer of the Légion d’Honneur in 1882.

Vibert submitted work to the Salon until 1899. The popularity of his works spread gained him fame in America and fetched high prices including commissions from John Jacob Astor IV and William Vanderbilt. A large collection of works by Vibert was amassed by the heiress May Louise Maytag on behalf of then bishop of Miami Coleman Carroll, who greatly fancied them. This large cache was then donated to the Florida seminary St. John Vianney College in Miami. At this location this extremely impressive collection has had a somewhat checkered conservation history, as well as exhibition history due to the the discomfiture of later bishops with the seeming anti-clericalism of the paintings (lighthearted debaucheries, etc.).

References

* [http://www.rehsgalleries.com/biography.html?key=246 Artist Biography - Rehs Galleries, Inc. ] at www.rehsgalleries.com

External links

* [http://www.albrightknox.org/ArtStart/Vibert.html Vibert at the Albright Knox Art Gallery]
* [http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Art/viewOne.asp?dep=11&viewMode=1&item=25.110.140 Vibert at the Metropolitan Museum of Art]

Gallery