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Renoir, Pierre-Auguste Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), a central figure of the Impressionist movement, was born on 25th February 1841 in Limoges, France. His artistic journey began in the bustling streets of Paris, where he was influenced by the vibrant culture and emerging modernity of the city. Renoir initially trained as a porcelain painter, which honed his eye for colour and detail, however, he soon transitioned to painting, driven by a desire to capture the essence of life through art. Renoir's style ev...

Hassam, Childe Frederick Childe Hassam (1859-1935) was a prominent American Impressionist painter, celebrated for his vibrant depictions of urban and coastal scenes. Born in 1859 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Hassam demonstrated an early interest in art. He had his first lessons in drawing and watercolour while attending The Mather School, but his parents took little notice of his obvious talent. By 1880, his father arranged a job for him in the accounting department of publisher Little, Brown & Company...

Gauguin, Paul Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) was a French post-Impressionist painter known for his innovative use of colour and symbolism, which significantly influenced modern art. Born in Paris, Gauguin spent much of his childhood in Peru where he experienced a privileged childhood. Following financial struggles, he returned to France and received a formal education. Initially, he pursued a career as a stockbroker while practicing art as a hobby, however, following the financial crisis of 1882, he made a pivot...

Dulac, Edmund Edmund Dulac (1882-1953) was a French-born, naturalised British illustrator, celebrated for his contributions to the 'Golden Age of Illustration' (1880s-1920s). Born in 1882 in Toulouse, France, Dulac initially studied law at the University of Toulouse but soon discovered his true passion for art. He won prizes at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, which paved the way for his illustrious career. In 1905, Dulac moved to London, where he quickly gained recognition for his exquisite ill...

Tissot, James Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836-1902), better known as James Tissot, was a prominent French painter and a notable figure in the art world of the late 19th century. Born in Nantes, France, he initially trained in the traditional techniques of painting before establishing himself in Paris, where he became associated with the avant-garde movements of his time. In 1871 he moved to London, where he found further success as an artist and began a relationship with Irishwoman, Kathleen Newton, who lived ...

Toulouse-Lautrec, Henri de Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) was a French painter, printmaker and illustrator whose distinctive style and keen observations of nightlife have left an indelible mark on the art world. Despite his short stature, due to a medical condition, Toulouse-Lautrec's larger-than-life spirit and passion for art prevailed. Best known for his vivid depictions of the bustling cabarets and brothels of late 19th-century Paris, his works encapsulate the vibrant energy and complexities of modern li...

Seurat, Georges Georges Seurat (1859-1891), born in Paris, was a pioneering French painter known for his innovative technique of pointillism, which involves applying small dots of colour to create vibrant compositions. His meticulous approach to colour theory and light set him apart from his contemporaries and laid the groundwork for modern art. Seurat’s most celebrated work, 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte', created between 1884 and 1886, exemplifies his unique style. The painti...

Gris, Juan Juan Gris (1887-1927), born José Victoriano González-Pérez on March 23, 1887, in Madrid, Spain, was a pivotal figure in the development of Cubism. Initially studying engineering, Gris turned to art in 1904, studying under José Moreno Carbonero. By 1905 he adopted the name Juan Gris and he moved to Paris, where he became deeply involved in the avant-garde art scene. Gris's early works were influenced by the Fauvist movement, but he soon embraced Cubism, collaborating with and learning fro...

Mucha, Alphonse Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) was a Czech painter and decorative artist, renowned for his distinctive Art Nouveau style. Born in 1860 in Ivančice, Moravia (now the Czech Republic), Mucha showed an early interest in art. Despite financial difficulties, he pursued his passion, studying at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts, and later at the Academie Julian and the Academie Colarossi in Paris. Mucha's breakthrough came in 1894 when he was commissioned to create a poster for the actress Sarah Bern...

Manet, Édouard Édouard Manet (1832-1883) was a pioneering French painter who played a crucial role in the transition from Realism to Impressionism in the 19th century, influencing the direction of modern art. Born in 1832 in Paris, Manet was the son of a high-ranking French civil servant. Despite his family's desire for him to pursue a career in law, Manet chose to follow his passion for art. Manet's early training included studies under the academic painter Thomas Couture and extensive visits to a...

Leighton, Lord Frederic Lord Frederic Leighton (1830-1896) was a prominent British painter and sculptor, celebrated for his classical and historical subject matter. Born on December 3, 1830, in Scarborough, Yorkshire, Leighton was the son of a medical doctor and grew up in a wealthy family. His artistic talent was evident from a young age, and he received his education at various European academies, including the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence and the École des Beaux-Art in Paris. Leighton's early works wer...

Dufy, Raoul Raoul Dufy (1877-1953) was a renowned French painter who gained recognition for his vibrant and decorative style, which became popular in various forms, such as textile design and public building decorations. Dufy is most remembered for his artwork depicting outdoor social gatherings. In addition to painting, he was skilled in various other fields, including drawing, printmaking, book illustration, scenic design, furniture design and planning public spaces. Born in 1877 in Le Havre, France, D...

Delacroix, Eugène Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) was a towering figure in French Romantic art, celebrated for his expressive use of colour and dynamic compositions. Born in 1798 in Charenton-Saint-Maurice, France, Delacroix displayed artistic talent from a young age. He trained under Pierre-Narcisse Guérin at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he absorbed influences from both classical and contemporary art. Delacroix's rise to prominence began with his painting 'The Barque of Dante' (1822) whic...

Cassatt, Mary Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was an American painter and printmaker who played a pivotal role in the Impressionist movement, despite being a woman in a mostly male-dominated field. Born in 1844, in Allegheny City (now part of Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, Cassatt spent most of her adult life in France, where she developed her artistic career. Cassatt's early artistic education included studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and further training in Paris under Jean-Léon Gérôme, Char...

Alberts, Jacob Jacob Alberts (1860-1941) was a German painter known for his evocative landscapes and genre scenes. Born in 1860 in Westerhever, Germany, Alberts initially pursued a path toward becoming a pastor but eventually turned to art. He studied at the Art Academy of Düsseldorf under notable artists such as Andreas Müller, Heinrich Lauenstein and Johann Peter Theodor Janssen. Later, he continued his education at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts under Wilhelm von Diez. Alberts' artistic journey too...

Cézanne, Paul Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) is often hailed as one of the most influential painters in the history of modern art. Born in 1839 in Aix-en-Provence, France, Cézanne's work laid the foundation for the transition from 19th-century Impressionism to the radically different world of 20th-century Cubism. His innovative approach to form, colour and composition significantly influenced later artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Cézanne began his artistic journey in Paris, where he met and ...