Charles Joshua Chaplin (1825-1891) was a French painter of Anglo-French origin, renowned for his elegant portraits of young women, mythological scenes and sensual nudes in a revived Rococo style. A favourite of Empress Eugénie, he embodies the charm and grace of the Belle Époque.

Training & Early Career

Born on 8 June 1825 in Les Andelys (Eure) to an English father and French mother, Chaplin studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1840 under Michel-Martin Drolling. Naturalised French in 1886, he debuted at the Salon in 1845 with realistic portraits and Auvergne landscapes inspired by Millet and Breton.

Peak under the Second Empire

From the 1850s, he focused on portraits of élégantes and mythological scenes (Diana, The Birth of Venus). His works captivated high society: Empress Eugénie commissioned the decoration of the Salon des Fleurs at the Tuileries (1861) and her bathroom. He also decorated the Élysée and was awarded the Légion d’Honneur in 1865.

Major Exhibitions & Awards

• 1845-1890 – Regular exhibitor at the Paris Salon
• 1859 – Medal and defence by Napoleon III for his painting Aurora
• 1867 – Paris Universal Exhibition
• Museum collections: Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Hermitage, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Style & Current Market

His paintings stand out for their delicate palette (pearly whites, powdery pinks, pearl greys) and light touch inspired by Boucher and Reynolds. In 2025, Charles Joshua Chaplin enjoys strong revaluation: fine portraits and nudes regularly exceed €30,000 to €100,000 at auction.

Discover our exclusive selection of authenticated works by Charles Joshua Chaplin – each painting delivered with certificate and full provenance.