Artwork
Les Exilés.
Les Exilés. is an oil painting by Alexandre-François Bonnardel. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon. "Les Exilés" is an oil on canvas painted in 1916 by French artist Alexandre‑François Bonnardel.
About this work
Overview
"Les Exilés" is an oil on canvas painted in 1916 by French artist Alexandre‑François Bonnardel. The work belongs to the collection of the Musée des Beaux‑Arts de Lyon, where it is displayed among early‑twentieth‑century French paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows a small group gathered in a dim interior. A man bearing a sack stands centrally, accompanied by a young girl; to his left, several men converse, one supported by a cane. On the right a woman cradles an infant. The composition conveys a muted, somber atmosphere, suggesting displacement or hardship.
Technique & Style
Bonnardel employs chiaroscuro, contrasting bright illumination with deep shadows to model the figures and give the room a palpable sense of depth. The light falls on the central figures, while peripheral areas recede into darkness, reinforcing the melancholic tone and emphasizing the physical weight of the sack.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting has remained in France, entering the Musée des Beaux‑Arts de Lyon’s holdings. The museum acquired the work as part of its early‑20th‑century French collection, where it continues to be exhibited as a representative example of Bonnardel’s wartime output.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alexandre-François Bonnardel (1867–1942) was an artist, born in Pajay.
