7 - Frédéric-Théodore LIX (1830–1897)

Frédéric-Théodore LIX (1830–1897) Saint Odile Oil on canvas mounted on panel, signed lower left. H_145 cm W_112 cm Born on December 18, 1830, in Strasbourg, Frédéric-Théodore Lix was a French painter and illustrator deeply attached to his Alsatian roots. Drawn to drawing from an early age, he received his first lessons from the painter Gabriel Guérin before continuing his artistic training in Paris, where he attended the studios of Michel-Martin Drolling and Éloy Biennoury, among others. He quickly began working as an illustrator for several French publications, while continuing his work as a painter. His work is distinguished by a wide variety of subjects, ranging from historical and religious scenes to depictions of daily life. He nevertheless showed a particular fondness for rural and folk scenes, which he drew largely from his memories and his attachment to Alsace. Agricultural work, village festivals, traditional trades, and regional costumes thus occupy a prominent place in his body of work. Among his compositions are notably *Hop Picking in Alsace*, *Harvest Near Barr*, and *Sand Washers on the Rhine*. Deeply shaped by his Alsatian identity, Lix made his art a true testament to 19th-century regional society. Through his paintings and illustrations, he sought to preserve the image of a vibrant Alsace, rooted in its traditions and customs. The events of 1870 and the annexation of his native region further strengthened this patriotic sentiment, which is evident in several of his works. A regular exhibitor at the Paris Salon, he won a bronze medal at the 1889 World’s Fair. He died in Paris on February 24, 1897, leaving behind a valuable body of work that bridges genre painting, illustration, and Alsatian heritage. Related Work: A composition dedicated to Saint Odile by Frédéric-Théodore LIX was exhibited at the 1888 Salon des Artistes Français