Édouard Salingre (1829–1892) - Trophy of a Passerine

Eugène Édouard SALINGRE
(Soissons, 1829 – Soissons, 1892)

Trophy of a Passerine Oil on panel

Signed and dated lower left
21.5 x 15.5 cm unframed
28 x 23 cm framed
1883

The painter Eugène Édouard SALINGRE was born in Soissons in 1829. He began painting in secret, at home, and it was only when he felt confident in himself and satisfied with his work that he dared to show his paintings. They were, quite simply, small masterpieces—the first gems in his artistic treasure chest. He had developed a specialty in which he fully excelled: still life. His favorite subjects were depictions of game and small birds hanging from a nail by their legs. The game was the main focus; the rest is secondary. All of this was painted with a sure eye, a polished finish, a delicate touch, rare precision, exactness of detail, a richness of color, and a variety of tones that only the OUDRYS, the DESPORTES, and the VOLLONS possess. However, SALINGRE imitated no one and followed no school. His talent developed through practice. He limited himself to copying nature and knew how to preserve the unique character of the subject he wished to depict. He sought to give his birds a strikingly lifelike quality. Almost every year for twenty years between 1859 and 1879, one or more of SALINGRE’s paintings were accepted into the Paris Salon. In addition to the capital, SALINGRE sent his works to exhibitions in major provincial cities, where he was regularly awarded prizes. Thus, his works could be seen in Reims, Saint-Quentin, Amiens, Versailles, and elsewhere. The Society of Friends of the Arts in Reims admitted him into its ranks, as did the Archaeological Society of Soissons. He was also a member of the Société des Artistes français. This true artist, who was excessively shy, never left Soissons, likely preferring tranquility to fame and finding no other pleasure than his paintbrushes and his easel. SALINGRE died suddenly in his hometown on September 29, 1892, at the age of 63.

Museum: Soissons