Hailing from Beauvais, France, Pauline Caron-Langlois was a painter of genre scenes, which often captured moments of quiet domesticity within humble interiors. She also produced still lifes and landscapes. Her father was a distinguished manufacturer of fine carpets and fabrics who won a medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1855 for his craft, so decorative beauty was instilled from an early age.

In 1847/48, following a commission by the Ministère de l’Instruction Publique et des Beaux-Arts, she produced at least two copies of works by old masters. One of these, a religious piece after Pierre-Paul Prud'hon, was hung at a church in Varennes. This early opportunity led to her debut at the Paris Salon.

Her scenes are often gently lit and offer the viewer a glimpse at everyday life. Narratives vary but frequently involve mothers and children. Stylistically, her approach to composition and colouring is close to that of her tutor, Pierre Édouard Frère (1819-1886).

Between 1848 and 1860, Caron-Langlois developed a solid reputation, exhibiting at various salons including those at Troyes, Lyon and Versailles. In 1860, she married Jean Baptiste Auguste Dauvert, a bailiff and property owner, at which point her artistic career appears to end. The pair lived together on the magnificent Rue des Réservoirs in Versailles.

Exhibited

Paris Salon, Palais Des Tuileries, Palais National, Musée de Rouen, Marseille Museum, Versailles, Troyes, Lyon Salon.

Timeline

1825

Born in Beauvais (as Pauline Sophie Caron) to Alexandre Caron, a distinguished manufacturer of fine carpets and fabrics, and Anne Pauline Quinton. Her father later incorporated his mother’s maiden name to become Alexandre Caron-Langlois. He was awarded a medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1855 for a ‘half-Holland canvas’.

Trained under the genre painter Pierre Édouard Frère (1819-1886). His influence is evident across Caron-Langlois’ oeuvre.

1847

Produced a copy of a work by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon (1758-1823) for a church in Varennes. Probably a commission from the Ministère de l’Instruction Publique et des Beaux-Arts. Possibly after this work by Prud'hon.

1848

Debuted at the Paris Salon.

1849

Lived in Paris.
‘Interieur de cuisine’ shown at the Palais Des Tuileries.

1850

‘Jeune fille’ and ‘Une triste nouvelle’ shown at the Palais National.

1852

‘Le carton a dessin’ shown at the Palais-Royal.

1853

‘La petite Gourmande’ shown at the Annual Exhibition of the Musée de Rouen.

1856

‘La petite Gourmande’ and ‘Le livre d’images’ shown at the exhibition of the Société Artistique des Bouches-du-Rhône at Marseille Museum.

1859

Shown in Versailles.

1860

Lived in Paris.
Shown in Troyes.
Shown at the Lyon Salon.
Married Jean Baptiste Auguste Dauvert, a bailiff and property owner, in Paris.

1872

Lived at the Hôtel du Government on the Rue des Réservoirs, Versailles, with her husband, her stepdaughter, and an older relative. Not recorded as an artist.

1883

Her husband died in Versailles.

1909

Died in Paris.