Henri Brispot
French, 1846-1928
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Henri Brispot was born on 5th July in Beauvais in France.
He was a contemporary of Jean Beraud and they were both pupils of Leon Bonnat. Both artists were very successful in recording Parisian society during the Belle Epoque and each owe their inspiration to Impressionists such as Degas and Manet.
Brispot was best known for his genre scenes, usually figure subjects in interiors. In this painting the artist portrays a gentleman's club; the members relaxing and enjoying the new and fashionable game of Bridge which had been introduced into England and America in the early 1890s. 'Contract Bridge' was perfected by Harold S. Vanderbilt in 1925.
Gentleman's clubs were an essential part of life in Paris at the turn of the century and games such as Billiards and Bridge became enormously popular with both the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie. At these clubs gentlemen could while away the hours conversing or conducting business over the green baise, their pipe smoke clouding the atmosphere. Brispot captures this atmosphere perfectly and he effortlessly creates each charming character with skill and realism.
The artist exhibited his works at the Salon until 1927. He received an Honourable Mention in 1881, a third class medal in 1885 and a silver medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889.
Brispot died in Paris in 1928.