Eugène Burnand
Born in Moudon on 30 August 1850.
Died in Paris on 4 February 1921.
Swiss · Naturalism · painting, drawing and illustration.
Eugène Burnand was a Swiss painter and illustrator whose career connected the canton of Vaud with France. After studying architecture in Zurich, he turned to painting. The Musée d’Orsay records his training with Barthélemy Menn in Geneva and subsequently with Jean-Léon Gérôme in Paris.
His naturalism rested on observation and careful preparation. For his large historical composition of 1894–1895 showing Charles the Bold fleeing after the battle of Morat, he studied period clothing and objects and worked with models. This monumental canvas is held by the MCBA in Lausanne.
Religious painting also forms part of his work. His 1898 painting of Peter and John running towards Christ’s tomb belongs to the Musée d’Orsay collection. The French state purchased it directly from the artist at the Salon.
Burnand also practised printmaking and literary illustration, notably for works by Mistral and Daudet. Between 1907 and 1912, his drawings were used for banknotes issued by the Swiss National Bank.
A museum is dedicated to him in Moudon, his birthplace. Its displays include works belonging to the Swiss Confederation, Lausanne’s cantonal museum and public collections in Moudon. Together they offer a view of several aspects of his practice beyond a single celebrated painting.
