Early Life, Family and Training
Charles Lebayle was born in Paris, France, on 28 May 1856. He grew up in a household tied to the trade of decoration, as his father ran a company specializing in window dressing and decorating. This environment likely shaped his early understanding of how light and color interact with glass and interior spaces.
At the age of fourteen, he began attending evening classes at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. His formal training expanded through the guidance of several instructors, including the sculptor Aimé Millet and Alexandre Cabanel. These years of study provided the technical foundation for his later work in both painting and design.
Beyond his formal schooling, he sought out further instruction in the study of oil painting. He attended classes held by Adolphe Yvon, which were open to the public. This period of learning allowed him to refine his handling of paint and composition before he moved into the professional sphere.
Artistic Career and Stained Glass Work
His debut at the Salon arrived in 1877. While many of his contemporaries focused on the canvas, he turned his attention toward stained glass. This shift in medium followed a suggestion from his friend Henri Carot, a man who would also become known for his work in glass painting. Instead of the traditional oil paintings expected in such venues, he presented works designed for light and glass.
By 1885, his work took him to Autun Cathedral. There, he helped create a glass roof that depicted the life of the Virgin. This project required a careful hand to translate drawings into the translucent medium. He also contributed to the main window at the Vannes Town Hall, working alongside Charles Champigneulle to complete the installation.
Later Years and Death
After returning to France, Lebayle found work in the workshops of the stained glass artist Lucien Bégule. During this period, he contributed to the creation of windows for the Hôpital de la Charité in Lyon. Most of these works were lost when the building was demolished in 1933.
He later attempted to establish his own glass painting business, but the venture did not succeed. This failure, along with a lack of recognition as an artist in his own right, led to a period of despondency. He died on 22 January 1898 in the 15th arrondissement of Paris.
