Alexandre Cabanel

1823-1889

European Artist

Cabanel was born at Montpellier, France. His skill in drawing was apparently evident by the age of 11. His father could not afford his training, but in 1839 his department gave him a grant to go to Paris. This enabled him to register at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts the following October as a pupil of Francois-Edouard Picot. His pictures soon attracted attention, and by his Birth of Venus (1863), he became famous, being elected that year to the Institute. He became the most popular portrait painter of the day.