The Wood Gatherers

François-Alfred Delobbe, a French naturalist painter, was born on October 13, 1835, in Paris, where he also passed away on February 10, 1915. A student of Abel-François Lucas, Thomas Couture, and William Bouguereau at the École des beaux-arts de Paris, Delobbe further honed his skills at the École impériale de dessin. His artistic journey began with a notable debut at the Salon des artistes français in 1861, presenting a portrait of his mother that captured public attention. Delobbe's oeuvre spans genres, including portraits, landscapes, and scenes of everyday life, marked by a gentle, luminous quality that became his signature. Throughout his career, Delobbe received numerous accolades, such as medals in 1874 for 'Musique Champêtre' and in 1875 for 'Pyrame et Thisbée,' alongside prestigious commissions like the decoration of the Paris 15th arrondissement's town hall. From 1875 until his death, he frequently stayed in Concarneau, Brittany, forming a close friendship with painter Alfred Guillou. This region deeply influenced his work, inspiring serene genre scenes, Breton landscapes, and tender portraits of children and young women, often depicting local peasants. Delobbe's practice involved sketching en plein air during warmer months, completing his paintings in his Parisian studio in winter. His works, celebrated for their authenticity and warmth, are held in public collections across France and beyond, including the Musée de Clermont and the Musée des beaux-arts de Dijon.