Henri Camille Danger 

Born in Paris on 31 January 1857 and died in Fondettes on 25 September 1939, Henri-Camille Danger was a leading figure in French academic painting in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Jean-Léon Gérôme and Aimé Millet, he distinguished himself through his technical virtuosity and a style that combined classical rigour with Symbolist inspirations.

Henri-Camille Danger exhibited for the first time at the Salon des artistes français in 1886. The following year, he won the prestigious Prix de Rome (1887), which opened the doors to the Villa Medici and enabled him to deepen his knowledge of the Italian masters. His works, regularly exhibited at the Salon, earned him several distinctions, including a 2ᵉ classe medal in 1893.

The year 1900 marked a turning point in his career: he was awarded a silver medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition and achieved hors-concours status. This recognition placed him among the most respected painters of his time, as much for the quality of his compositions as for their narrative force.

Danger tackles a variety of subjects with a mastery that reflects his roots in the academic tradition. His paintings of mythological and biblical inspiration reveal a keen sense of mise-en-scène, in which light and colour become vectors of emotion. These compositions, rich in detail, testify to a desire to elevate classical stories to a spiritual and poetic level, in keeping with Symbolist aesthetics.

The female figures, often central to his paintings, reflect his interest in introspection and transcendence. For example, ‘Les Lucioles’ evokes a mysterious and melancholy nature, where light plays a symbolic role.

As well as painting, Henri-Camille Danger left a significant mark on the decorative arts, producing several cartoons for the Gobelins factory. These creations bear witness to his attention to detail and his ability to work on monumental supports.

As a teacher, he passed on his skills to the next generation. Among his pupils was Pierre-Laurent Baeschlin, a painter renowned for his landscapes and portraits.

Awarded the Légion d'honneur, Danger continued to exhibit until the end of his life, notably at the Salon des artistes français, where he presented works such as ‘Jardin de Touraine’ and ‘Danse aux étoiles’ in 1929. True to his artistic vision, he remained attached to a classical aesthetic enriched by a symbolist sensibility.

The paintings of Henri-Camille Danger, held in public and private collections, bear witness to the elegance and depth of his work. His art, at the crossroads of academicism and symbolism, embodies a balance between tradition and innovation that continues to appeal to art lovers and collectors alike.