Eugene Isabey

Honfleur – The Artists – Isabey, Eugene

This page forms part of a series of pages dedicated to the many artists who worked in Honfleur. A full list of all the artists with a link to their works can be found at the bottom of this page.

Eugene Isabey
Eugene Isabey

Movement(s): Romanticism

Eugene Louis Gabriel Isabey (1803 – 1886) was a French painter, lithographer and watercolorist in the Romantic style. He was born to Jean-Baptiste Isabey, a well known painter who enjoyed the patronage of the Imperial Family. Originally, he wanted to be a sailor, but his father insisted that he study painting; a turnabout from the usual situation where the family opposes an artistic career in favor of something more practical.

He shared a studio with fellow artist Xavier Leprince while living in Honfleur.

In 1831, he was chosen to accompany a diplomatic mission to Morocco, led by the Comte de Mornay, but he politely refused. He had just returned from a short trip to Algiers, where he had painted scenes of the Royal Navy’s campaign, and was concerned that the situation there was still too unsettled to make a lengthy stay. He was replaced by his friend, Eugene Delacroix, who created over 100 works that are now considered classics of Orientalism.

Shortly after, however, Isabey became a court painter for King Louis-Philippe and was named a Knight in the Legion d’Honneur in 1832. One of his best known paintings was done during this period, in 1840, depicting the return of Napoleon’s remains from Saint Helena aboard the Belle Poule.

During a trip to England, he was known to have studied the works of J.M.W. Turner. He was especially skillful at rendering subtleties in darker colors; which might be called a form of grisaille. He took in students on a regular basis; including Eugene Boudin, Johan Barthold Jongkind and Durand-Brager. In his later years, he turned from marine painting to historical scenes, usually of a violent nature, such as massacres, duels and robberies.

Click here to read Isabey’s full bio on Wikipedia.

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NOTE: A black box like this one, means that there is an explanation text about today’s situation of the painting above it.
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1827 - Eugene Isabey - Beached Boats (Honfleur, Low Tide)
1827 – Eugene Isabey – Beached Boats (Honfleur, Low Tide)
???? - Eugene Isabey - Cliffs near Honfleur
???? – Eugene Isabey – Cliffs near Honfleur
???? - Eugene Isabey - The Simenon farm
???? – Eugene Isabey – The Simenon farm

TODAY: The Saint-Simeon farm was, and still is, a popular gathering spot of artists. Today the farm has been turned into a luxury hotel and spa with spectacular views. Click here to access the Saint-Simeon’s web site.

Click here to read our review of the Ferme Saint Simeon.

Isabey painted several places in France (a link “” to his works will appear below when published):

Honfleur was (and is) a very picturesque town, so it saw many artists capturing the beauty of this very scenic town. The reason it has so many tourists is obvious…. it’s very pretty. Here are some of the artists that have come to apply their art in the town (a link, symbolized by a ““, to the artist’s works will appear when published. A “*” indicates that the artist did not work directly in Honfleur but instead worked outside of Honfleur in a nearby town).

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The Ferme Saint-Simeon, main hotel and restaurant
Tody: The Ferme Saint-Simeon is now a 5-star hotel and restaurant
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