Phelippes-Beaulieux was the son of a lawyer, and was himself called to the Bar in 1851, but would seem to have never practised. He preferred to immerse himself in books, and graphic art, taking up drawing and etching in 1853, inspired by the landscape of the family estate, Les Croix, at Sautron, and the surrounding area. Self-taught, he etched 115 plates, for his own pleasure, never exhibiting them, though he gave an album to the municipal library of Nantes, and gave impressions to family and friends.

After his death his etched work was forgotten, until rediscovered in 1948: idiosyncratic, densely worked, beautifully crafted, delightfully detailed naïve compositions, unlike anything else being etched in the 1850’s to 1870’s.


Phelippes-Beaulieux 114. The plate signed within the image, and also lettered at the foot with the artist’s initials, work number and at the right, the date Aux Croix 16 août 1871.(Confusingly there is also the date, at the left 15 février sensi (?) 1868 à Nantes.) On wove.