“1852-1938” The numbers etched into the Alphonse Stengelin Plaque whisper a life story. This unassuming plaque marks the birthplace of a remarkable man. A Lyonnaise artist who painted his way across Europe.
Here on the Quai André Lassagne in Lyon stands this tribute to Alphonse Stengelin. His life began in this very house. A house designed by the famous architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot. The same architect who designed the magnificent Panthéon in Paris. Alphonse’s father was a banker. He was involved with the prestigious Evesque & Cie banking house. A life of privilege formed the foundation of his artistic journey.
Young Alphonse studied at the prestigious Collège-lycée Ampère. He then enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. There he honed his skills under the tutelage of the school’s director. Joseph Guichard was his mentor a master who guided his artistic development. He also worked with landscape painters Augustin Chenu and Florian-Némorin Cabane. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon served as his classroom. He spent countless hours studying the works of the Old Masters. His admiration for Rembrandt was particularly profound.
Alphonse’s ambition led him to Paris. He established a small studio in Montmartre. From 1875 to 1910 he travelled extensively across Germany Switzerland and Italy. He spent significant time in the Netherlands painting and engraving landscapes. The charming towns of Hooghalen and Katwijk captivated him. He found inspiration in the rural landscapes of Bresse.
In 1888 Alphonse married his cousin Coraly Stengelin. They had four children together. A street in Katwijk was named after him in 1907. After that he signed his works “Stengelin van Katwijk”. Until 1914 he divided his time between the Netherlands and a house in Écully. A “Place Alphonse Stengelin” was dedicated to him in Écully in 1978.
His life wasn’t confined to just one place. His art is a testament to his travels his experiences and his talent. His works are showcased in many prominent museums. You can see his art in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. They are also found in Bordeaux Marseille and Nantes. This plaque is a small but significant marker of a great journey a journey of a man a life a legacy.