Charles Lebayle

Charles Lebayle
Born	Paris, France
Died	January 22, 1898(1898-01-22) (aged 41) Paris, France
Occupation(s)	Artist, designer
Known for	Stained glass art

Charles Lebayle (born 28 May 1856 in Paris – died 22 January 1898 in Paris) was a French artist and designer, recognized chiefly for his work alongside stained glass artisans.

Biography

Lebayle's father managed a business specializing in window dressing and decoration. At the age of fourteen, he enrolled in evening courses at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, where he studied under Alexandre Cabanel and the sculptor Aimé Millet. Following his father's passing, Lebayle took over the family enterprise, which ultimately did not succeed.

His first exhibition at the Salon occurred in 1877, where he presented stained glass pieces upon the suggestion of his friend Henri Carot, who later became a prominent glass painter. In 1879, Lebayle secured a prize at the École des Beaux-arts competition and pursued oil painting studies with Adolphe Yvon.

In 1885, he played a role in creating the stained glass roof at Autun Cathedral, illustrating scenes from the Virgin Mary's life, based on designs by architect Lucien Magne and decorator François-Émile Ehrmann. Additionally, he partnered with Charles Champigneulle on the principal window of Vannes Town Hall.

Lebayle was awarded the Prix de Rome in 1886 for his work Claudius Proclaimed Emperor and subsequently spent two years at the Villa Medicis, where he produced a mural entitled "The Sea and the Shepherd." Despite this, none of his creations from that period were purchased by the French government, which was customary. This phase also brought personal tragedy with the deaths of his sister and mother.

Upon returning to France, Lebayle collaborated in the studios of stained glass artist Lucien Bégule, contributing to windows for Lyon's Hôpital de la Charité—most of which were lost following the building's demolition in 1933.

After failing to establish his own stained glass workshop and facing continuous challenges in gaining artistic recognition, Lebayle became deeply despondent and ultimately took his own life.