

Timeline
- 1794Born on 16 March in Lods, a small village in the Doubs department of eastern France.
- 1817At 23, competed for the Prix de Rome in Paris as a pupil of Anne Louis Girodet-Trioson, placing third with a painting of Castor and Pollux Freeing Helen.
- 1834At 40, appointed director of the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology in Besancon. He later became director of the city's school of painting and sculpture in 1840.
- 1874Died on 4 August in Lods, his birthplace, at the age of 80.
Notable Works
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon's prints?
Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon (1794-1874) was a French painter and lithographer. Prints were often used to reproduce paintings and drawings; after Watteau died, Jullienne oversaw the printing of his painted work. The Recueil Jullienne is considered one of the oldest illustrated catalogues in art history. Jean-Honoré Fragonard also made prints at different times in his career. When he returned from Italy, he made etchings of sixteen drawings after the masters for the abbé de Saint-Non; two are dated 1764. The abbé copied these sheets in the style of a wash, known today as aquatint. He wanted to use them to illustrate his Journal de voyage en Italie, which remained unpublished for a long time. Fragonard chose artists such as the Carracci brothers, Castiglione, Lanfranco, and Tiepolo for his etchings.What style or movement did Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon belong to?
Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon lived during a period when Romanticism, Academic art, and Realism were all influential. Romanticism began in the early 1800s, appearing across Europe and America. It can be seen as the opposite of Neoclassicism, though the two movements also overlapped. Romantic art emphasised emotion, and imagination was prized over reason. Artists rejected established rules, and individuality took precedence. Academic art, in contrast, valued skill over individuality. During the 1800s, European art academies became increasingly conservative and resistant to innovation. The Parisian Académie des Beaux-Arts, which was formed in 1816, insisted that artists fuse Neoclassicism and Romanticism. Realism was a revolt against emotionalism, and it emphasised 'truth to nature'. Realists believed ordinary people were worthy subjects and that Neoclassicism and Romanticism were too contrived.What was Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon known for?
Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon (1794-1874) was a French painter and curator. He is associated with the Neoclassical style. Lancrenon studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, and he later became the curator of the museum in Besançon. His artistic output included history paintings and portraits. Some sources place him in the circle of artists around Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Margarethe Gérard, and Élisabeth-Louise Vigée-Lebrun. These artists represent a transition from the Rococo to Neoclassical styles. Lancrenon's career coincided with significant shifts in French art and politics, from the French Revolution through the Napoleonic era and into the later 19th century. During this time, Neoclassicism became associated with both revolutionary ideals and the Napoleonic Empire, before giving way to Romanticism.When did Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon live and work?
Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon was active in the first half of the 19th century. In 1816, Lancrenon received second prize for (none refuse de secourir Paris au siége de Troie). Between 1816 and 1860, Lancrenon received a number of prizes. These included second prize in 1816, and second prize again in 1817 for Heéléne délivrée par Castor et Pollux, ses freéres. Other artists who received prizes in 1816 and 1817 include A.-J.-B. Thomas and J.-V. Schnetz (1816), and Leon Cogniet and F. Dubois (1817). The Galerie du Luxembourg was established as a museum for the work of living French artists in 1818. Works would be kept there for between five and ten years after the artist's death. Afterwards, they would enter the Louvre, or a suitable provincial museum. This rule was irregularly applied.Where can I see Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon's work?
To view works by Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon, consider visiting museums in France and Belgium. The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nancy, France, holds pieces from a range of artists. In Paris, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs also has collections that may include his work. Other French museums that may exhibit Lancrenon's art include the Musée d’Art et d’Industrie in Roubaix, the Musée de l’Ecole de Nancy, the Musée du Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Musée du Petit Palais. In Belgium, the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique in Brussels is another possibility. Be aware that museum collections and displays can change, so it is advisable to check their current catalogues or websites in advance of a visit.Who was Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon?
Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon was a French painter active in the early nineteenth century. He was born in 1794 and died in 1874.When was Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon born?
Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon was born in 1794 in France. Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon died in 1874, aged 80.How did Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon die?
Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon died in 1874 at the age of 80.
Sources
Editorial draws on the following primary and tertiary references for Joseph-Ferdinand Lancrenon.
- [1] museum Harvard Art Museums Used for: museum holdings.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-10-15. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
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