Henri-Louis Dupray 1841-1909

Louis Henry Dupray, also known as Henri Dupray, was born on November 3, 1841, in Sedan and died on April 17, 1909, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. He was a French painter, engraver, and illustrator, primarily known for his history paintings, particularly military scenes.

Initially destined for a military career, Dupray was forced to abandon this path following a horse-riding accident. His interest in art developed through technical drawing, and he soon became a student of Léon Cogniet and Isidore Pils at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. From the beginning of his artistic career, Dupray specialized in military subjects, only occasionally creating portraits. Starting in 1863, he exhibited regularly at the Salon and became a member of the Société des aquafortistes in 1865. Édouard Manet was among his circle of friends.

Dupray’s works initially focused on the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, but after 1870, he increasingly depicted the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 in drawings, paintings, and illustrations, contributing to the Binant series. He was named a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur in 1878.

In addition to oil paintings, Dupray produced numerous etchings, including École de tambours, La Patrouille, and Brigadier. His drawings appeared regularly in the magazine Le Courrier français, and he illustrated books for authors such as Alfred de Vigny, Henri Dupont-Delporte, and Victor Hugo.

Works in public collections:

France:

• Bayeux, Musée Baron Gérard: Le Défilé militaire

• Grenoble, Musée de Grenoble: Visite aux avant-postes pendant le siège de Paris, 1870

• Paris:

• Musée de l’Armée: 

• Place d’armes sous la Restauration

• Halte de chasseurs et dragons

• Charge de dragons

• Musée Carnavalet: 

• Les Fusiliers marins à l’attaque du Bourget, le 21 décembre 1870

• Sedan, Musée municipal: Charge de cuirassiers

United Kingdom:

• London, National Army Museum: Bataille de Tel-el-Kebir, c. 1900