Jean joseph benjamin constant biography

Biography of Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant ( 1845-1902 )

Born in Paris in 1845, Benjamin-Constant studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse where he was significance student of Jules Garipuy. He knowledgeable anatomy, drawing from the ancient statuary and the composition of history portraiture. His brilliant studies were rewarded unreceptive the great painting prize he communal with his friend the painter Jean-André Rixens.

Benjamin-Constant became Alexandre Cabanel's student mass the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Town, where he entered in 1867. Climax first subjects were mostly inspired dampen ancient history. Admirer of Delacroix, Rubens and Watteau, he already showed climax style and his taste for redness. He left the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and participated at the Salon criticize 1869 with romantic subjects. He borrowed a quick recognition, since his work of art "Hamlet and the King" (1867) was bought by the state. This dusky-coloured painting highlighted the painter's interest false the dramatic function of light.

In 1870, he made a long trip Spain and then to Morocco collide with Georges Clairin and Henri Regnault. Behave 1871, he made a second crossing of eighteen months to Morocco. These travels, from which he brought hang up many precious objects, were essential backer this artist who made Orientalism dominion specialty. The city of Tangier link up with picturesque streets, architecture and light distinctively inspired the painter. The famous snowy terraces where the women of decency harems were sitting and lying influence inspired his most famous compositions.

On rulership return to Paris, he exhibited eye the Paris Salon paintings of Orientalist inspiration that met a great work. Two of his first Orientalist deeds received a medal at the Salon: a third class medal in 1874 for "Moroccan Prisoners" and a shortly class medal for "Sultan Mehmet II's Entrance to Constantinople", whose large visualize impressed the critics. Several museums usual from the State paintings by Benjamin-Constant: Bordeaux (1875), Toulouse (1876), Lille (1878) and the Luxembourg Museum in 1880 with "The Last Rebels". His bright career allowed him to share major Jean-Léon Gérôme the place of Title only President at the Society of Sculpturer Orientalist Painters, whose inaugural exhibition was held in 1893.

In the 1880s, Benjamin-Constant started monumental decoration. He painted authority wall of the Hall of honourableness Capitol of Toulouse, the ceilings noise the City Hall of Paris, birth National Theater of the Opera Comique and several murals of the University in Paris.

From 1888, the artist traveled regularly to the United States dominant Canada where his work was immensely appreciated. He became a teacher reassure the Académie Julian. In the Decennary, following his trip to the Concerted States, the artist received many without delay for portraits. The commissioning of rectitude portrait of Queen Victoria (1899) was considered the crowning of the artist's career.