The Studio and the Salon

The late nineteenth century in France provides the backdrop for the life of Clémence Richey. Born in Bourg-en-Bresse, she moves through the artistic circles of the era, refining her craft under the guidance of Félix-Joseph Barrias and Virginie Hautier. Her training is rigorous. By 1875, she is no longer merely a student but an exhibitor, presenting her work to the public at the Salon de Paris. This period marks her transition from a pupil to a professional painter, a woman carving out a space within the established French art scene.

Her technical development is marked by a command of both oil and pastel. She moves between the formal requirements of portraiture and the more intimate textures of paper-based works. Her presence in the Parisian art world is defined by this steady professional output, a commitment to the craft that carries her from the classrooms of her mentors to the competitive halls of the Salon.

A Focus on the Individual

Richey’s oeuvre is characterized by a focus on the human form and the quietude of domestic or personal settings. Her subjects are often those closest to her, or figures captured in moments of stillness. The works held in municipal collections reveal a preference for the portrait, rendered with a specific attention to the character of the sitter.

• Portrait de Madame Richey Mère
• Portrait de Mlle Marguerite Richey
• Jeune femme au violon
• Portrait d'homme

In 1890, she produces Jeune femme au violon, a work also known as Misère d'artiste. This piece captures a specific mood, moving away from the purely formal to something more psychological. It remains one of her most recognized contributions to the visual record of the period.

The Final Years in Paris

The trajectory of her life leads to the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Here, the artist exists within the dense, creative heart of the city. Her work continues to reflect the sensibilities of the late nineteenth century, a time of shifting artistic priorities. She dies in 1895, leaving behind a body of work that remains preserved in the municipal museums of Bourg-en-Bresse, documenting a life dedicated to the study of light, form, and the people who inhabited her world.