Edmond Hedouin

A fine French painter, etcher and lithographic artist, Edmond Hedouin (1820 - 1889) studied art under Paul Delaroche at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, in 1838. Shortly thereafter he began to take instructions in etching and engraving from Celestin Nanteuil. Hedouin began to exhibit his art at the prestigious Paris Salon in 1844 and was a frequent exhibitor there in the following decades. During this time he received many commissions for his art, including paintings for the Theatre Francais and the Palais Royale. Edmond Hedouin was decorated with the Chevalier de la Legion d"honneur in 1872 and the medaille d"honneur in 1888.

As an etcher, Hedouin was equally well received for both his original designs and his interpretive etchings after such masters as Boucher, Watteau, Goya and Delacroix. Many of his finest original etchings were commissioned for such great illustrated books as Rousseau"s Confessions, Sterne"s Sentimental Journey and the plays of Moliere. A nos bien Chers Maitres is indicative of the graceful lines and design elements that made Hedouin"s art famous. It was obviously created for an artistic event or association Hedouin was part of as all the names appearing within the composition are those of well known 19th century French painters and etchers.