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Student Artwork Guide

Chelles

Léon Augustin L'Hermitte

Name Class Date
Léon Augustin L'Hermitte, Chelles. Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Léon Augustin L'Hermitte topimpressionists.com/en/artists/leon-augustin-l-hermitte/
Artist’s dates
1844 – 1925
Movement
Realism Painting ordinary people and ordinary work exactly as they are, without making them prettier or grander.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Léon Augustin L'Hermitte died in 1925; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1995.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

Chelles — Léon Augustin L'Hermitte Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Chelles — Léon Augustin L'Hermitte

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1840
  2. 1850
  3. 1860
  4. 1870
  5. 1880
  6. 1890
  7. 1900
  8. 1910
  9. 1920

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 81 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Léon Augustin L'Hermitte (1844–1925) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1887 Main working years: 1887–1911 Late works: from 1911

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/leon-augustin-l-hermitte-chelles-8BWU4R-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Putty #e1c799

    Catalogued palette

    • #E1C799
    • #6F523A
    • #AC875E
    • #382720

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

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Putty
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Léon Augustin L'Hermitte over the last twelve months — 11 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 64.8%
    2. 2 United States of America 14.1%
    3. 3 Brazil 4.2%
    4. 4 Belarus 4.2%
    5. 5 Hong Kong 2.8%
    6. 6 South Korea 2.8%
    7. 7 Belgium 1.4%
    8. 8 United Kingdom 1.4%
    9. 9 Japan 1.4%
    10. 10 Mexico 1.4%
    11. · 1 other countries 1.5%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Léon Augustin L'Hermitte

    1. 1 Granville, Morning, 1892 5.3%
    2. 2 Near the Fountain 5.3%
    3. 3 La Lecon de lecture 3.9%
    4. 4 L_Hermitte Leon Augustin Figures by a Country Stream circa, 1920 3.9%
    5. 5 les halles 3.9%
    6. 6 Landscape with a Peasant Woman Milking a Cow, 1887 2.6%
    7. 7 Le Pardon de Plourin, Brittany Peasants Leaving Church, 1877 2.6%
    8. 8 Pelerinage Pour L'Enfant Malade. Eglise De Plein-Pied, Bourges 2.6%
    9. 9 Maternite 2.6%
    10. 10 The Bather 2.6%
    11. 11 La Lecture 2.6%
    12. 12 Washerwomen Setting The Linens Out To Dry 2.6%
    13. 13 Le jour des morts à Chartèves 2.6%
    14. 14 Among the Humble, 1905 2.6%
    15. 15 La Fenaison 1.3%
    16. 16 The Market Place of Ploudalmézeau, Brittany, 1877 1.3%
    17. 17 The Haymakers 1.3%
    18. 18 Le Berger et son Troupeau, Le Soir 1.3%
    19. 19 The Haymakers, 1887 1.3%
    20. — Chelles this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 52.2% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 197 works by this artist, of which 55 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Chelles — Léon Augustin L'Hermitte Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Léon Augustin L'Hermitte

    Born in Mont Saint-Pierre, France

    Léon Augustin L'Hermitte: A Life Dedicated to Realism

    Early Life and Training

    Léon Augustin L'Hermitte, a prominent French realist painter and etcher, was born on July 31, 1844, in Mont-Saint-Père, France. His upbringing within the rural landscapes of Picardy profoundly shaped his artistic vision. Recognizing his talent, his father, a schoolteacher, provided early encouragement. L'Hermitte formally began his training at the Special School of Drawing and Mathematics (the “Petite École”) under Horace Lecoq de Boisbaudran, laying a strong foundation in draftsmanship. He continued his studies at the prestigious Paris School of Fine Arts.

    Rise to Prominence and Artistic Style

    L'Hermitte’s breakthrough came with his debut at the Paris Salon in 1864, garnering initial recognition. His dedication to depicting rural life and the working class resonated with audiences and critics alike. He quickly established himself as a leading figure within the realist movement. His innovative use of pastels was particularly admired. In 1884, he was honored with the French Legion of Honour, followed by the Grand Prize at the Exposition Universelle in 1889 – testaments to his growing reputation and artistic merit. His style is characterized by a sensitive portrayal of everyday life, focusing on dignity and hardship within rural communities.

    Influences and Artistic Development

    Jean-François Millet served as a significant influence on L'Hermitte’s work, particularly in his choice of subject matter and empathetic depiction of peasant life. L'Hermitte shared Millet’s commitment to portraying the realities of rural existence with honesty and respect. He also drew inspiration from the broader realist movement, seeking to represent the world as it was, without idealization or romanticism. His early training emphasized meticulous observation and technical skill, which he later applied to his distinctive pastel technique.

    Notable Works and Themes

    Interior of a Butcher Shop: A detailed depiction of working-class life, showcasing L'Hermitte’s mastery of composition and realism.

    The Gleaners (1887): Captures the essence of rural labor and the dignity of those who toiled in the fields.

    La Fenaison: Illustrates a scene of haymaking, highlighting the communal aspects of agricultural work.

    Le Passeur: A poignant portrayal of a ferryman and his passengers.

    Pelerinage Pour L'Enfant Malade. Eglise De Plein-Pied, Bourges: Depicts a religious procession, showcasing the spiritual life of rural communities.

    His works consistently explore themes of labor, faith, family, and the connection between humanity and the land.

    Legacy and Historical Significance

    L'Hermitte’s contributions to the realist movement have secured his place in art history. His paintings are featured in prominent museums worldwide, including those in Amsterdam, Boston, Brussels, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.. He was elected a full member of the Academy of Fine Arts in 1905, further solidifying his artistic standing. Vincent van Gogh himself praised L'Hermitte’s work for its beauty and emotional depth. L'Hermitte’s legacy lies in his ability to capture the essence of rural life with sensitivity and skill, offering a valuable glimpse into 19th-century French society. He died in 1925, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire and resonate with audiences today.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Chelles

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/leon-augustin-l-hermitte-chelles-8BWU4R-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    L'Hermitte, Léon Augustin. Chelles. n.d., https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/leon-augustin-l-hermitte-chelles-8BWU4R-en/
    APA
    L'Hermitte, Léon Augustin (n.d.). Chelles [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/leon-augustin-l-hermitte-chelles-8BWU4R-en/
    Chicago
    Léon Augustin L'Hermitte. Chelles. n.d. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/leon-augustin-l-hermitte-chelles-8BWU4R-en/
    Harvard
    L'Hermitte, Léon Augustin (n.d.) Chelles. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/leon-augustin-l-hermitte-chelles-8BWU4R-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Chelles — Léon Augustin L'Hermitte Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Chelles — Léon Augustin L'Hermitte

    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. Our catalogue files this work under: landscape. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Interior of a Butcher Shop (1881), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    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.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Chelles — Léon Augustin L'Hermitte Part 4 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    How do movement and era meet in "Chelles" by Léon Augustin L'Hermitte?

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

    What subjects appear in "Chelles" by Léon Augustin L'Hermitte?

    The themes present in "Chelles" by Léon Augustin L'Hermitte include landscape. Together they summarize the artwork's subject matter.

    Where can I buy a print of "Chelles" by Léon Augustin L'Hermitte?

    A print of "Chelles" by Léon Augustin L'Hermitte can be ordered directly on its Fine Art Print page: a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper.