Background
Constantin Guys was born on December 3, 1802 in Vlissingen, Netherlands to a French family.
correspondent illustrator painter
Constantin Guys was born on December 3, 1802 in Vlissingen, Netherlands to a French family.
In 1923, Guys fought in the Greek war for independence. For many years, he lived in England, producing journalistic sketches for "The Illustrated London News" and other newspapers. During the period from 1842 to 1848, Constantin worked as a tutor for grandchildren of Thomas Girtin, who was a well-known English painter and etcher. Also, he traveled a lot, visiting Bulgaria, Egypt, Turkey and other countries, covering military campaigns and conflicts.
In the 1860's, Guys settled down in Paris, where he continued to work as an illustrator. During that time, he also became famous for his sketches of Parisian life under Napoleon III. Like his friend and contemporary, Honore Daumier, Guys worked from memory and very rapidly. He made thousands of pen and wash drawings, occasionally touching them with watercolor tones of yellow, wine red and lavender. Constantin did not specialize, as Daumier did, in the foibles of the lower middle class, but observed the habits of all levels of Parisian society. His subjects included elegant people at the theater, on the boulevards and in carriages.
Two Women with Fans
Tôlière
The Croatian Potentate Narguile
La Loge de l'opéra
Bazar de la volupté
In the Street
Untitled
Four Women on a Sofa
Deux grisettes et deux soldats
Voiture
Two Grisettes
Two Seated Women
Two Women
Girls on the Balcony
Parisienne Seen from the Back
Woman Standing in a Doorway
At the Theater (Au foyer du théatre; Ladies and Gentlemen)
Officers of the Guard
The Spread
Dandies in the Park
Demi-mondaines
Portrait of a Lady
Carriage and Three Gentlemen on Horses
Leaving the Theater
Portrait #2
The Chasseurs d'Afrique during the Crimean War of 1854