Paul Descelles (Raon-l'Etape 1851- Saint-Dié 1915) is a major figure in the artistic history of the Vosges, as well as in the history of the Musée Pierre-Noël. Like his father, he worked at the Muller earthenware factory in Raon-l'Étape, where he became an earthenware and porcelain painter. When Émile Gallé set up a studio in the Raon faience factory to paint his earthenware decorations, he hired Paul Descelles, whose talent he recognized. His portraits on enamel quickly won acclaim.
From 1880 onwards, he also painted on canvas, and had his works accepted at the Salons. A painter of reality, he produced paintings based on local scenes taken on the spot: modest interiors, peasant scenes, women at a washhouse, a mother feeding her child, the feast of Saint Nicolas, etc. He also painted many large-scale portraits commissioned by friends and compatriots in the Vosges.
The museum holds more than twenty works by the painter, and will be presenting the entire collection, including the recent acquisitions of 2022 and 2023, as yet unpublished, as well as additional loans from other museums and collectors in the region.
From 1880 onwards, he also painted on canvas, and had his works accepted at the Salons. A painter of reality, he produced paintings based on local scenes taken on the spot: modest interiors, peasant scenes, women at a washhouse, a mother feeding her child, the feast of Saint Nicolas, etc. He also painted many large-scale portraits commissioned by friends and compatriots in the Vosges.
The museum holds more than twenty works by the painter, and will be presenting the entire collection, including the recent acquisitions of 2022 and 2023, as yet unpublished, as well as additional loans from other museums and collectors in the region.
