Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Penelope

Name Class Date

Charles François Marchal, Penelope (1868). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Charles François Marchal originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/charles-francois-marchal/
Artist’s dates
1818 – 1893
Painted
1868
Original size
111 x 50 cm
Movement
Realism Painting ordinary people and ordinary work exactly as they are, without making them prettier or grander.

In context

Penelope — Charles François Marchal

How big is it?

The original measures 111 × 50 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1810
  2. 1820
  3. 1830
  4. 1840
  5. 1850
  6. 1860
  7. 1870
  8. 1880
  9. 1890

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 75 at death.

Painted when the artist was 50. The artist lived to 75. 0 of the 1 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Charles François Marchal (1818–1893) ▲ this work, 1868 every dated painting, decade by decade

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Gray #576366

    Catalogued palette

    • #576366
    • #0D0D0C
    • #86826B
    • #473C2A

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Main colour name
    Gray
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Balanced How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Softly Mixed Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    About this artwork

    Penelope — Charles François Marchal

    This painting and its pendant, Phryne (location unknown), were an immediate success at the Salon of 1868. They are typical of the scenes of fashionable life in Paris that Marchal painted in the decade prior to his suicide.Penelope is not represented as the legendary wife of Odysseus but as a contemporary woman, dutifully engaged in needlework as she dreams about her husband, portrayed in the miniature before her. By contrast, Phryne was intended as an analogy to the classical Athenian courtesan of the same name. Marchal depicted her in an evening dress, glancing provocatively into her mirror as she completes her toilette.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Charles François Marchal

    Born in Paris, France

    early life and background

    charles françois marchal, a french painter, was born in 1818 and passed away in 1893. despite his significant contributions to the art world, marchal's life remains somewhat enigmatic, with limited information available on his personal background.

    artistic style and influences

    marchal's work is characterized by its elegance and refinement, reflecting the influences of the french art scene during the 19th century. his paintings, though not widely documented, showcase a mastery of light and color, reminiscent of the impressionist movement.

    notable works and collections

    le sentier, a serene landscape depicting a pathway surrounded by trees, is an exemplary work showcasing marchal's skill in capturing the beauty of nature. (view on AllPaintingsStore: discover the masterpieces of musée d'art et d'histoire (france))

    criqueboeuf, the church, a coastal village scene, demonstrates his ability to balance light and color, creating a soothing harmony. (explore more on AllPaintingsStore: charles françois marchal's page)

    discovering charles françois marchal with AllPaintingsStore

    for those seeking to explore more of marchal's works or learn about other french artists, musée d'art et d'histoire (france) is an excellent resource. this renowned museum houses an impressive collection of artworks from various periods and styles, including marchal's pieces. (visit AllPaintingsStore: discover the masterpieces of musée d'art et d'histoire (france))

    ordering canvas prints or oil-painted replicas with AllPaintingsStore

    AllPaintingsStore.com offers high-quality canvas prints and oil-painted reproductions of your favorite artworks, including those by charles françois marchal. visit AllPaintingsStore's website to explore the world of art and bring a piece of it into your home or office.

    conclusion

    charles françois marchal, though not extensively documented, has left an indelible mark on the french art scene. his elegant style, characterized by light and color, continues to inspire. through AllPaintingsStore, his works can be rediscovered, and his legacy preserved for generations to come.

    view more of marchal's works on AllPaintingsStore's charles françois marchal page.

    explore the musée d'art et d'histoire (france) collection on AllPaintingsStore.

    order canvas prints or oil-painted replicas of your favorite artworks with AllPaintingsStore.

    wikipedia: charles françois marchal (no direct link available due to limited online presence)

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Penelope

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/charles-francois-marchal-penelope-D2W2SW-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Marchal, Charles François. Penelope. 1868, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-francois-marchal-penelope-D2W2SW-en/
    APA
    Marchal, Charles François (1868). Penelope [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-francois-marchal-penelope-D2W2SW-en/
    Chicago
    Charles François Marchal. Penelope. 1868. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-francois-marchal-penelope-D2W2SW-en/
    Harvard
    Marchal, Charles François (1868) Penelope. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/charles-francois-marchal-penelope-D2W2SW-en/

    Look closely

    Penelope — Charles François Marchal

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 1 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: portrait, domesticity, needlework. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Realism: Painting ordinary people and ordinary work exactly as they are, without making them prettier or grander. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    What are the format and size of "Penelope"?

    "Penelope" by Charles François Marchal is a tall composition measuring 111 x 50 cm in the original.

    In which movement and which era is "Penelope" by Charles François Marchal placed?

    "Penelope" belongs to the Realism movement, and its creator worked in the 19th-Century era.

    What art movement does "Penelope" by Charles François Marchal belong to?

    "Penelope" by Charles François Marchal belongs to the Realism movement. This movement provides the stylistic context of the work.