Pastel Drawing And Charcoal By Antoine Calbet 1860 +1942 A Nude Presentation, 23 X 31 Cm

Antoine Calbet: A Master of Academic Realism in the Third Republic

A Distinguished Journey
Antoine Calbet, born in 1860, was a French realist painter, engraver, illustrator, lithographer, and decorator. He is one of the major figures of academic realism during the Third Republic.  

He honed his impeccable technique at the École des Beaux-Arts in Montpellier under the guidance of Édouard-Antoine Marsal (1845–1929). From there, he easily gained admission to the prestigious École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied in the workshop of Alexandre Cabanel (1823–1889).  

Calbet entered the Parisian art scene at a time when the Third Republic sought to establish its legitimacy through grand artistic achievements. Recognized by President Armand Fallières, with whom he became close friends, Calbet successfully balanced official commissions with private demands.  

An Exemplary Career
Antoine Calbet regularly exhibited at the Salon, with his first painting accepted at the age of just twenty. He received medals in 1891, 1892, and 1893 and exhibited "hors concours" (without competition) starting in 1899.  

For the 1900 Exposition Universelle, he created a panel for the Colonies Pavilion, earning a silver medal.  

Calbet completed numerous prestigious decorative works, including:  
- The ceiling of the Théâtre Ducourneau in Agen  
- Murals in the town halls of Pamiers, Agen, and more  
- At Paris' Gare de Lyon restaurant "Le Train Bleu", he created evocative depictions of Nice, Evian, Nîmes, and Grenoble.  

The Painter of Felicity
Antoine Calbet’s art embodies the optimistic spirit of the Third Republic, a sentiment that endured despite the horrors of World War I. His works are characterized by light, euphoric themes, exquisite depictions of women, and commanding official portraits.  

He excelled in painting scenes of romance, idyllic imagery reminiscent of Watteau, and the celebration of nature's grandeur.  

A Legacy in Art
Antoine Calbet passed away in 1942.  

His works are held in numerous French public collections, including:  
- Musée d'Orsay and Petit Palais in Paris  
- Musée des Beaux-Arts in Agen  
- Musée des Augustins in Toulouse  

Additionally, his art can be found in town halls and theaters across France, as well as in the U.S., notably at the Dallas Museum of Art.  

For further reading:
Clarisse Faurie, "Antoine Calbet (1860–1942), Vie et Œuvre", Université de Toulouse, 2004.