Fête de Neuilly by Eugène Galien-Laloue

Eugène Galien-Laloue
1854-1941 I French

Fête de Neuilly

Signed "E. Galien-Laloue" (lower left)
Watercolor, graphite and gouache, heightened with white, on paper, mounted on board

Eugène Galien-Laloue's luminous depiction of the Fête de Neuilly captures the jubilant spirit and social pageantry of Belle Époque Paris with remarkable atmospheric precision. In this vibrant street scene, the artist demonstrates his masterful ability to render both architectural specificity and the joy of celebration, preserving a moment of Parisian cultural life at the turn of the century.

The particular festival represented here, Fête de Neuilly, was established in 1815 by Napoleon Bonaparte, quickly becoming one of Paris's most important annual celebrations that combined carnival attractions with patriotic displays. The composition unfolds along a tree-lined boulevard, where festival-goers promenade beneath a canopy of French flags. Galien-Laloue employs his signature perspective technique—a carefully structured recession into space that draws the viewer's eye down the avenue while simultaneously allowing for intimate observation of the diverse social tapestry on display. His distinctive palette—dominated by atmospheric blues and greens punctuated by warmer hues—creates a visual harmony that brings the scene to life. Military figures mingle with elegantly attired bourgeois couples and children, creating a microcosm of Parisian society during this period of profound social transformation.

Galien-Laloue (who went by several pseudonyms, including Jacques Lievin) underwent some unconventional training as an artist. He was born in 1854 in Montmartre, the oldest of eventually nine children. His father, Charles, died when he was sixteen years old, and he left school to take a job at the local notary. Just a year later, he quit his job, faked his name and left for his military duty toward the end of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. Upon leaving the military, he decided to become a painter, and in 1874 was employed by the French Railway lines as an illustrator, depicting the rail track that was being laid from Paris to the provinces. During this engagement, he began painting the surrounding landscapes as well.

Galien-Laloue exhibited for the first time in 1876 at the Museum of Reims, and the following year he exhibited for the first time at the prestigious Paris Salon. He continued to exhibit well into the second decade of the 20th century. When World War I broke out, he was exempt from military service due to his advanced age and because he had volunteered for the Franco-Prussian War. Instead, he served as a military illustrator, faithfully recording the sights of soldiers and battle. Today, the artist's works reside in the permanent collections of the Musée des Beaux-Arts (Louviers) and the Musée des Beaux-Arts (La Rochelle).

An inscription on the frame of this work suggests that the scene depicts July 14th—Bastille Day—on the Champs-Élysées. However, based on 19th-century photographs, it is more likely a representation of the Fête de Neuilly.

Early 20th Century

Paper: 17” high x 25 1/8” wide (43.18 x 63.82 cm)
Framed: 32 3/4” high x 38 1/4” x 3 3/4” deep (83.19 x 97.19 x 9.53 cm)

Provenance:
Rehs Galleries
Private Collection, United States
M.S. Rau, New Orleans