Benjamin Eugene Fichel

French 1826 - 1895

Benjamin Eugene Fichel was born in Paris on the 30th August 1826. He was a genre painter of the French School. Fichel was a pupil of P. Delaroche and Drollings at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. His favoured subjects were genre, history, literary subjects and portraits.

Fichel’s paintings are characterised by a great attention to detail and anatomical precision. Delaroche nurtured Fichel’s keen observation and natural talent and soon had him producing works of outstanding quality. The smaller format suited his painstaking style and these are often compared to the works of Meissonier. His work did not go without recognition and in 1849 made his debut at Salon de Societe des Artists.

He was awarded 3rd class medals in 1857, 1861, 1869 and the Legion of Honour in 1870. Titles include “Holy Family” 1849 , “Arrival at the Inn” 1863, “Chess Player” 1868, “A Foreign Festival" 1876, to name but a few.

The Museums of Germany, Holland and France all hold examples of Fichel’s work.