Eugène Lelièpvre (1908-2013) - Chevaux affolés au relais de poste

Eugène Lelièpvre, called «De Marcillac» (1908-2013)

Incident at the posting-house
Stencil and gouache on paper, probably
Signed «De Marcillac» in the lower right margin

Attractive work by the French painter, draftsman and illustrator Eugène Lelièpvre (1908-2013), created under the name «De Marcillac», a designation used for part of his production especially devoted to equestrian, game-hunting, and historically inspired scenes. The relationship between the two names is acknowledged in catalogs and records of the French art market.

The composition depicts a lively incident at an old posting-house, whose entrance is identified by the French inscription Poste aux chevaux. A carriage emerges from the building while several horses, startled or out of control, are agitated as coachmen and grooms strive to restrain them. The scene is built with a strong narrative sense and effectively conveys the tension, movement, and unpredictable nature of the episode.

The whole centers around the central group formed by the stagecoach, the horses, and the figures. The animals appear in varied, dynamic postures, with raised heads, moving legs, and crossed harnesses. The architecture, barely suggested through a linear, light drawing, frames the action without diminishing the horses’ prominence.

The work reflects one of Lelièpvre’s main specialties: the precise and expressive depiction of a horse in motion. The artist combines attentive observation of anatomy, tack, and carriage operation with an agile execution close to French historical illustration. The subdued background contrasts with the more intense color of the figures, enhancing the legibility and dynamism of the scene.

The technique seems to correspond to a pochoir or colored-engraving method, enriched with gouache and graphic details on paper, a formula frequently found in equestrian and hunting works signed «De Marcillac». This technical identification is proposed prudently based on the photographs and should be confirmed by direct examination outside the frame.

Eugène Lelièpvre was born in Montreuil-sur-Mer in 1908 and died in 2013. He had a long career as a painter, draftsman, illustrator, and specialist in uniformology. His production focused especially on French military history, cavalry, hunting scenes, and equestrian subjects. In 1951 he was named Official Painter to the French Army, and his work is distinguished by documentary precision, mastery of drawing, and the ability to depict horses, riders, and uniforms with great narrative clarity. His career also included significant output of portraits and female figures.

The piece is signed «De Marcillac» in the lower right margin. For its lively composition, its attractive historical theme, and the mastery shown in the depiction of horses, it constitutes a characteristic and highly decorative work of the equestrian production linked to Eugène Lelièpvre.

The work is presented framed and protected by glass. The frame will be shipped free of charge as a courtesy, with no commercial value, and its condition will not be a ground for complaint.

It is recommended to study carefully all photographs before bidding, as they are an essential part of the description and faithfully show the condition of the work and the frame.

SHIPPING TO COUNTRIES REQUIRING CUSTOMS MAY INCUR SURCHARGES.