François Louis Lanfant de Metz
French, 1814-1892
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The French artist François Louis Lanfant de Metz was better known as Lanfant de Metz or “little master” for his animated genre scenes depicting young children. He was born in 1814 in Sierk, a short distance from Metz in France from which he took his name. At the young age of fifteen he travelled to Paris where he worked creating original wallpaper illustrations and was admitted to the studio of Ary Scheffer, a Romantic School painter of history and genre subjects. It was in Paris that he became interested in the theatre, a passion which would follow him the remainder of his life.
De Metz spent seven years in military service in Africa, taking part in the Algerian campaign and being captured. He was not released from service until 1842 after which he was hired as a draftsman and travelled through Switzerland and Italy, later joining a travelling theater troupe. He returned to Paris in 1843 and debuted at the Salon where his works were well received by the public. Due to this success he kept a workshop on the Boulevard des Italiens and trained several students. He exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon between 1843 and 1866, winning a gold medal in 1847. He travelled widely, living in England and Barbizon.
In 1868 de Metz met Gustav Courbet and travelled with him to Trouville on the west coast of Normandy. On his journey back to Paris De Metz missed the train and ended up in Le Havre where he found a theatre flyer and subsequently met friends including composer and pianist Louis Tessier with whom the artist began a strong friendship. He settled in Le Havre where he became known as “Pappy Lanfant” for his depictions of children participating in games and dances which were popular with locals and wealthy merchants. His success prompted many of his works to be reproduced in colour lithographs.
Subjects include religious, nursery and street scenes including the trades of Paris, his finest works painted on panel with delicacy and precision. However the artist’s most popular subjects are his animated genre scenes illustrating all aspects of the world of children, sometimes accompanied by animals. These include charming depictions of noisy children’s activities and school outings, battles and games, and especially mischievous children. His work can be found in collections worldwide as well as in museums including Marseille, Reims and Paris. Lanfant De Metz died in Le Havre in 1882 and a retrospective of his work was held in 1926 at the Musée du Havre.