Paul-Albert Besnard

Paul-Albert Besnard (1849-1934) had an almost boring career, absolutely typical for a French artist –École des Beaux-Arts, apprenticeship with a leading artist, Prix de Rome, studio in Paris – in but he left some very fine paintings.  (Madame Roger Jourdain, 1885)

His training was all in the academic vein but in 1880 he gave all that up for Impressionism and an obsession with color. As in this bit of Orientalism, The Favorite.

Zebus,  done during a trip to India.

Love this portrait of Francis Magnard. I feel like I've met him.

The sculptor Rodin.

Besnard did a bunch of wall paintings for public buildings in Paris, including a set for the Hall of Marriages: Spring and Winter.

And one more portrait, Camille Barrère.