Biography

French painter. Born in Paris. After working as an apprentice to a stained-glass maker, he studied under artist Gustave Moreau at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. After Moreau’s death, he became the first director of the Musée Gustave Moreau. This museum was originally Moreau’s residence, which he had bequeathed to the French state. Around 1902-03, while he was recovering from illness, he established a painting style characterized by thick, black contour lines and heavy texture. His works depicted a keen insight into the inner human minds of such figures as prostitutes, clowns and judges. He was a devout Catholic, and many of his works have religious themes such as his “Passion” series.