Chestnut - Emmanuel Grammont 1862-1960

Dimensions at sight Height: 27 cm Length: 35 cm Signature Bottom right Dated: (18)94 Material Oil on canvas Frame without frame


Although he was a brilliant and prolix painter, the life of this student of Jean-Léon GÉRÔME at the École des Beaux-ArtsArts is not found in any of the classical biographical dictionaries of 19th century painters.Some research has however allowed us to trace his career.

Emmanuel Grammont was born on 10 October 1862 in Arc-en-Senans, in the Doubs, where his father Auguste was then a municipal receiver. His mother, Adèle Frédérique TUEFFERD, was in charge of the household and a few years later a second boy, Maurice, was born who took up the profession of professor of letters (he taught at the university of Montpellier).

Attracted by drawing at a young age, his father allowed him to continue his studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where his talent made him admit to the studio of the famous Jean-Léon GÉRÔME. Yet, on 27 November 1883, he was ahead of the call for military service. He was thus enlisted in the 7th Regiment of Dragons and caserated at Vitry-le-François. In 1887, his excellent service record enabled him to join the Reserve and on 15 October 1898 he was promoted to brigadier.

After his release from the military, he was back in his studio on rue Bonaparte. He proposed for the first time that year, at the Salon des Artistes, a canvas soon ready under number 1086. His taste for the army and cavalry, his passage in the Dragons had given him an appetite for military painting and horseman. He joined the Carnets de la Sabretache for which he produced some drawings and participated in the organization of exhibitions, exhibited at the Tunisian Salons (he was also awarded an honorable mention in 1896), at international exhibitions of Black and White (fairs exclusively devoted to the arts of drawing). He regularly presented, at the salons des Artistes français, from 1888 to 1894, paintings mainly on military themes. He was also a member of the Society very quickly.