Fritz Huguenin-Lassauguette
Born in 1842.
Died in 1926.
Painter, draughtsman and illustrator, Fritz Huguenin-Lassauguette — also known as Fritz-Edouard Huguenin-Virchaux — draws a significant part of his subject matter from the landscapes of Neuchâtel and the Jura. Born in Le Locle in 1842 into a family of watchmakers, he depicts in particular pastures and their herds, as well as the banks of the Doubs, and illustrates several works devoted to the region. After his primary and secondary studies, he learns to engrave watch cuvettes.
A period of training with an artist from Geneva precedes his commitment to painting and drawing. He subsequently teaches the latter discipline in Le Locle for twenty years.
His work as an illustrator includes two albums entitled « Le Canton de Neuchâtel », published in 1890 and 1896 respectively. The sources also mention Le canton de Neuchâtel illustré, published in 1890, and L’Europe illustrée by Auguste Bachelin, produced in collaboration with J. Weber.
A lithograph from 1876 depicting Le Locle and the valley of Col-des-Roches is attributed to him; it is held at the musée des Moulins souterrains du Col-des-Roches. In 1892, he is called to Vevey to teach at the Collège and the École supérieure des jeunes filles. The source associates this period with canvases of Lake Geneva, the Alps and Valais.
He dies on 19 November 1926, in his 84th year.
