Pierre Puvis de Chavannes

Pierre Puvis de Chavannes began studying with Eugène Delacroix in 1844. After the French government purchased one of his works, he began a successful career as painter. He occupied a special position in the art world of his time. As symbolist, he occupied a position between the more traditional academic painting style of the Salon and the progressive impressionism. He often painted religious and mythological subjects, showing female allegorical characters with long, timeless gowns. He married one of his models, Princess Marie Cantacuzène, a year before his death.