Alexandre Cabanel was born in the French city of Montpellier on September 23, 1823. His father, Jean-Baptiste Cabanel, a Weaver from Cordes-sur-Ciel, had settled in Montpellier and married Anne Marion. Alexandre's mother died when he was only two and a half years old. Alexandre's grandfather, Martial Cabanel, a baker from Fontcouverte-la-Perrière came to live with the family to take care of Alexandre and his sister, Delphine. Alexandre Cabanel began his artistic education at the age of nine under Cosme Techneaux, the academic painter and Director of the Ecole Municipale de Dessin et de Sculpture de Montpellier. At the age of twelve, Cabanel entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1836), where he studied first under Pierre Gardelle and then under Francois-Edouard Picot. He exhibited his first painting at the Salon in 1841. The following year, he received a second-class medal for his painting The Death of Moses.

His birth and childhood

Alexandre Cabanel was born in Montpelier, France on September 23, 1823. He was the son of a cabinetmaker and had little formal education. Nevertheless, he showed an early talent for drawing and was admitted to the local art school when he was just thirteen years old. From there, he went on to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Cabanel quickly established himself as a skilled and versatile painter. He is perhaps best known for his historical and mythological subjects, but he also excelled at portraiture and genre scenes. Cabanel enjoyed a successful career and was highly respected by his peers. He was elected to the Academie des Beaux-Arts in 1861 and served as its president from 1874 until his death in 1889.

His Tutelage

There, he studied under the tutelage of influential artists such as Jean-Léon Gérôme and François Boucher. After graduation, Cabanel began his career as an art teacher, first at the Lycée Bonaparte and then at the École des Beaux-Arts. It was during this period that he developed his signature style, characterized by ethereal beauty and fine craftsmanship. Throughout his career, Cabanel remained committed to art education, passing on his knowledge and expertise to future generations of artists.

His painting ‘The Birth of Venus’

Alexandre Cabanel is best known for his painting "The Birth of Venus", which depicted the goddess Venus emerging from the sea. Cabanel's work was very popular during his lifetime, and he was awarded numerous prestigious commissions. However, his work was also controversial, as some critics accused him of producing " Salon art" that pandered to the tastes of the wealthy elite. Nonetheless, Cabanel's impact on art education was significant, and many art students benefited from his teaching.

‘One of the most influential art teachers’

Alexandre Cabanel was one of the most influential art teachers of his time. He taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and had a huge impact on the way art was taught there. His students went on to be some of the most famous artists of their generation, including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Paul Cézanne. Cabanel believed that art should be taught as a discipline, with a focus on technique and skill development. He also believed that art should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or social status. Thanks to Cabanel's influence, art education became more widely available and respected. Today, art schools all over the world continue to teach students in the same tradition that Alexandre Cabanel set forth.

Cabanel was a successful artist

Cabanel was a successful artist during his lifetime and was even elected to the Academy of Fine Arts in 1864. Today, his paintings can be found in museums all over the world. He is best known for his paintings of beautiful women, often using historical or mythological settings. He also painted several portraits and work on religious and allegorical subjects. Cabanel's style was very much in keeping with the academic traditions of the time, and he was extremely successful during his lifetime. He was elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1863 and served as its president from 1885 until his death in 1889. Many of his paintings can be seen in museums around the world, including the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

He is also best known for his history paintings and his portraits, many of which were commissioned by Napoleon III. Another well-known painting by Cabanel is "Phryne Before the Festival Jury," which depicts a nude woman standing before a group of men. This painting caused a scandal when it was first exhibited, but it is now considered one of Cabanel's masterpieces. Cabanel was also a skilled draftsman, and his drawings are highly sought after by collectors.

His marriage, tragedy and death

After a year of study, he won the Prix de Rome, which allowed him to continue his studies in Italy for four years. Upon his return to Paris, he opened a studio and soon became one of the most sought-after painters in the city. In 1855, he married Marie-Clémentine Legrand, with whom he had three children. Cabanel enjoyed great success during his life, and was even made a member of the Legion of Honor in 1863. However, tragedy struck in 1867 when his wife and two of his children died. Cabanel remarried in 1869, but his second wife also died just four years later.

Despite these personal setbacks, Cabanel continued to produce groundbreaking and beautiful works of art until his death in 1889. While it is impossible to know for certain, it is possible that the deaths of his loved ones played a role in Cabanel's own death. Alexandre Cabanel was a talented artist who left a lasting mark on the world of art, even though his life was cut short by tragedy.

His famous artwork ‘Fallen Angel’

Cabanel’s famous artwork ‘Fallen Angel’ is considered one of the most renowned ‘oil on canvas’ paintings ever created. He made this painting in 1847 and it is presently at the MuseeFabre in France. It is also described as one of the hottest artworks ever made. Cabanel painted this memorable painting in 1847 when he was only 24 years old. With this painting, Cabanel was on his way to becoming one of the geniuses of French academic painting.

The painting depicts the character in the ‘fallen angel’ as a winged nude cast out from heaven. The painting was inspired by John Milton’s poem ‘Paradise Lost’ about the devil’s defence of God. The character shown in the painting is shielding his face behind his flexed arms. He has a perfect body and each muscle of his beautiful body is flexed with energy.

Cabanel’s painting The Birth of Venus

Cabanel painted ‘The Birth of Venus in 1863. Alexandre Cabanel's painting The Birth of Venus is a work of art that has been praised for its beauty and technical mastery. The painting depicts the mythological scene of the birth of the goddess Venus, who is held aloft by a fallen angel. Cabanel's use of light and color creates a sense of ethereal beauty, and his attention to detail ensures that the viewer can appreciate the intricacies of the painting. In particular, the fallen angel's wings are meticulously rendered, and their gentle downward curls convey a sense of fragile grace. Ultimately, Cabanel's painting is a testament to his skill as an artist and his ability to create works that are both beautiful and technically excellent.

His painting Cleopatra Testing Poisons on Condemned Prisoners

Alexandre Cabanel is best known for his painting Cleopatra Testing Poisons on Condemned Prisoners. The painting depicts the Egyptian queen testing various poisons on condemned prisoners. Cabanel's painting has been praised for its lifelike quality, and Cleopatra herself has been praised as a work of art. However, some have criticized the painting for its violent and graphic content. Whatever one's opinion of the painting, it is undeniable that Cabanel was a masterful artist, and his painting Cleopatra Testing Poisons on Condemned Prisoners is a testament to his talent.

Alexandre Cabanel's painting Florentine Poet

Alexandre Cabanel's painting Florentine Poet is a work of art that is cherished by many. The painting depicts a scene from Dante's Inferno, in which the poet is seen conversing with his guide, Virgil. The painting is incredibly detailed, and the colors are very vibrant. The overall effect is one of intense emotions and great drama. Cabanel's painting is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Romanticism. It is currently on display at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.

His work The Story Teller

Alexandre Cabanel was a French painter best known for his work The Story Teller. The painting features a man telling a story to two children, with the other listeners captivated by his words. Cabanel often used his work to explore the themes of human curiosity and imagination. In The Story Teller, he depicts the power of stories to transport and transform those who hear them. The painting is both playful and deeply moving, capturing the universal appeal of a good story. Today, it hangs in the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, where it continues to enchant viewers with its beauty and charm.

Alexandre Cabaenl’s famous paintings include ‘The Birth of Venus (1863), ‘Cleopatra Testing Poisons on Condemned Prisoners’ (1887), ‘Florentine Poet’ (1861), ‘The StoryTeller’ (1883),