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Charles Bargue Most Popular Paintings

The 17 artworks by Charles Bargue our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 17 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Charles Bargue · 1826 – 1883

A Bashi-Bazouk (1875) by Charles Bargue

1875 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 46 x 33 cm

View the most popular artwork of Charles Bargue ranked #1: A Bashi-Bazouk

Medium/Technique: Acrylic On Canvas
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19333 × 46 cm Commission at original size

The chess game

Charles Bargue’s serene depiction of a chess game in a Parisian park embodies classical realism—a lively outdoor scene featuring individuals enjoying leisure and companionship alongside a watchful dog and delicate bird. Explore this captivating artwork and bring timeless beauty into your home.

Medium/Technique: Acrylic
Art Movement: Academic Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17740 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

A footman sleeping (1871)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york

A footman sleeping (1871) by Charles Bargue is a portrait depicting a man in military uniform resting his head on his hand, seated on a chair with two additional chairs behind him and a dining table laden with tableware and books.

Medium/Technique: Oil On Board
Art Movement: Classical Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

The sentinel by Charles Bargue

View the most popular artwork of Charles Bargue ranked #4: The sentinel

Charles Bargue's "The Sentinel" captures a contemplative figure amidst a serene landscape, reflecting the artist’s classical realism and drawing course influence. A unique hand-painted reproduction.

Medium/Technique: Acrylic On Canvas
Art Movement: Classical Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Head of Young man. Study

Nationalmuseum, Stockholm · original 19.0 x 16.0cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

The sentry – Charles Bargue

View the most popular artwork of Charles Bargue ranked #6: The sentry

The painting depicts a man holding a firearm alongside a dog, positioned near a brick wall. Two additional figures are present, and a bowl rests on the ground. Influenced by Jean-Léon Gérôme's style, Bargue’s course of drawing established itself as a cornerstone for classical realism.

Medium/Technique: Acrylic On Canvas
Art Movement: Classical Realism Classical Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Prayer in a Mosque

Admire Charles Bargue's "Prayer in a Mosque" – a meticulously rendered oil painting capturing faith and unity within a historic mosque. Hand-painted reproduction available now.

Art Movement: Classical Realism
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Turkish sentinel by Charles Bargue

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

View the most popular artwork of Charles Bargue ranked #8: Turkish sentinel

Discover "Turkish Sentinel" by Charles Bargue – a captivating 19th-century painting of a woman in oriental attire. Hand-painted reproductions available.

Art Movement: Orientalist
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

An eastern coffehouse by Charles Bargue

View the most popular artwork of Charles Bargue ranked #9: An eastern coffehouse

Experience the exotic allure of Charles Bargue's 'An Eastern Coffeehouse'! This hand-painted reproduction captures a vibrant oriental scene, showcasing intricate details & rich colors. Elevate your space with this timeless masterpiece.

Art Movement: Classical Realism
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Marchand oriental by Charles Bargue

View the most popular artwork of Charles Bargue ranked #10: Marchand oriental

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Charles Bargue: Seated Bashi-Bazouk

View the most popular artwork of Charles Bargue ranked #11: Seated Bashi-Bazouk

Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Two Ladies On A Swing

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Study of an Arnaut

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

The Artist's Model

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

An artist in his studio

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17724 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Moslem Prostrating Himself on Prayer Rug

Charles Bargue’s ‘Moslem Prostrating Himself’ – a striking black & white drawing of prayerful figures. Explore classical realism, dramatic lighting & emotional intensity.

Art Movement: Orientalism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Study for L'Aimee

Color Palette: Pastels

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 20 artworks by Charles Bargue
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Charles Bargue

1826 – 1883

Quick facts

NationalityFrance
Movementsclassical realism
Top 3 worksA Bashi-Bazouk, The chess game, A footman sleeping (1871)
Works on APS20
Vibeelegant
Art period19th Century
Room fitliving room
Mediumsacrylic on canvas

Biography

A Life Dedicated to the Art of Drawing

Charles Bargue, a name perhaps less celebrated than his contemporaries yet profoundly influential in the annals of art education, was a French painter and lithographer born in Paris in 1826. His life, though marked by personal struggles, became inextricably linked with a revolutionary approach to artistic training—an approach that continues to shape classical realism today. While biographical details remain somewhat sparse, Bargue’s early career likely began within the family tradition of lithography before he found himself working for Adolphe Goupil & Cie., a prestigious Parisian printmaking firm in 1858. It was during his time at Goupil that a pivotal artistic partnership blossomed with Jean-Léon Gérôme, a leading academic painter and a key figure in the Orientalist movement. This collaboration would ultimately define Bargue’s legacy, though not necessarily through paintings of his own hand but rather through an unprecedented pedagogical undertaking.

The Cours de Dessin: A Foundation for Generations

Bargue's most enduring contribution is undoubtedly the *Cours de dessin*, a comprehensive drawing course conceived in close collaboration with Gérôme and published between 1866 and 1871. This was not merely a textbook; it was a meticulously structured program designed to guide students from the fundamentals of copying plaster casts, through the study of master drawings, and ultimately towards drawing from life. The course comprised 197 lithographs—individual sheets intended for reproduction and practice—and represented a systematic dismantling of artistic skill into manageable steps. The brilliance lay in its accessibility; it democratized academic training, providing aspiring artists with a pathway to mastery previously reserved for those within the established art institutions. It was a method built on repetition, observation, and an unwavering commitment to anatomical accuracy. The *Cours* wasn’t simply about replicating forms but understanding their underlying structure—the very bones and muscles that gave them life.

Orientalist Influences and Artistic Style

Though best known for his pedagogical work, Bargue was a skilled painter in his own right. His artistic style reflects the influence of Gérôme, particularly evident in his fascination with Orientalist scenes and historical genre painting. He travelled extensively through North Africa and the Balkans, meticulously documenting local people and customs with remarkable detail. These journeys informed his paintings, which often depict figures set against exotic backdrops, imbued with a sense of realism and ethnographic precision. His work captures not just appearances but also a palpable atmosphere—the textures of fabrics, the play of light on weathered faces, the weight of cultural traditions. However, Bargue’s output was relatively small; he was known to be a slow and painstaking worker, prioritizing quality over quantity.

A Lasting Impact: Van Gogh, Picasso, and Beyond

The impact of the *Cours de dessin* reverberates through art history. Perhaps its most famous disciples were Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, both of whom rigorously studied Bargue’s plates during their formative years. Van Gogh, in particular, held the course in high esteem, copying the entire set in 1880/81 and revisiting it again in 1890. He saw in Bargue's method a pathway to understanding form and structure—a foundation upon which he would build his own unique artistic vision. Picasso, too, benefited immensely from the course, utilizing its principles to hone his draftsmanship before embarking on his revolutionary explorations of Cubism.

The *Cours de dessin* provided a common language for artists seeking mastery of classical techniques.
It fostered a generation of artists grounded in anatomical accuracy and observational skills.
Its influence extends to contemporary ateliers and academies dedicated to classical realism.

Historical Significance and Enduring Legacy

Charles Bargue’s life ended tragically in 1883, succumbing to a stroke and the intensification of long-standing mental health struggles. However, his legacy lives on through the *Cours de dessin*, which remains a cornerstone of classical art education worldwide. The course's enduring popularity is a testament to its effectiveness—a timeless method for unlocking artistic potential. While Gérôme often overshadows Bargue in historical accounts, it’s crucial to recognize Bargue’s pivotal role in codifying and disseminating academic principles. He wasn’t merely a copyist or an assistant; he was a visionary educator who democratized art training and profoundly shaped the course of modern art—a quiet revolutionary whose influence continues to be felt by artists striving for excellence today.

Questions & Answers

Where are Charles Bargue's artworks grouped by technique?

To find all works by Charles Bargue in a given medium, use the artist's All Medium page.

Is there a timeline of Charles Bargue's works?

A timeline of Charles Bargue's works exists: the artist's Artwork Timeline page orders the artworks by creation date.

How is Charles Bargue's career divided into periods?

A chronological account of Charles Bargue's work is available on the artist's Chronicle page, where the artworks pass in order of creation, chapter by chapter.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated June 19, 2026

Collector's quiz

Charles Bargue is best known for what contribution to the art world?
What was the name of Bargue's influential drawing course?
Which artists are known to have studied Bargue's plate work?
What was the primary focus of Bargue's drawing course?
Where is Bargue's last completed painting now conserved?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

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Every artwork by Charles Bargue in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Charles Bargue