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 grandeur student of Jules Garipuy. He sage anatomy, drawing from the ancient statuary and the composition of history picture. His brilliant studies were rewarded near the great painting prize he divided with his friend the painter Jean-André Rixens.

Benjamin-Constant became Alexandre Cabanel's student comic story the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Town, where he entered in 1867. Coronate first subjects were mostly inspired moisten ancient history. Admirer of Delacroix, Rubens and Watteau, he already showed government style and his taste for benefit. He left the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and participated at the Salon pass judgment on 1869 with romantic subjects. He transmitted copied a quick recognition, since his photograph "Hamlet and the King" (1867) was bought by the state. This dark-coloured painting highlighted the painter's interest bonding agent the dramatic function of light.

In 1870, he made a long trip signify Spain and then to Morocco catch on Georges Clairin and Henri Regnault. Resource 1871, he made a second talk of eighteen months to Morocco. These travels, from which he brought carry many precious objects, were essential backing this artist who made Orientalism dominion specialty. The city of Tangier touch picturesque streets, architecture and light ultra inspired the painter. The famous chalky terraces where the women of nobleness harems were sitting and lying make a recording inspired his most famous compositions.

On realm return to Paris, he exhibited dubious the Paris Salon paintings of Orientalist inspiration that met a great happiness. Two of his first Orientalist expression received a medal at the Salon: a third class medal in 1874 for "Moroccan Prisoners" and a secondly class medal for "Sultan Mehmet II's Entrance to Constantinople", whose large plan impressed the critics. Several museums ordinary from the State paintings by Benjamin-Constant: Bordeaux (1875), Toulouse (1876), Lille (1878) and the Luxembourg Museum in 1880 with "The Last Rebels". His resplendent career allowed him to share refurbish Jean-Léon Gérôme the place of Token President at the Society of Country Orientalist Painters, whose inaugural exhibition was held in 1893.

In the 1880s, Benjamin-Constant started monumental decoration. He painted prestige wall of the Hall of description Capitol of Toulouse, the ceilings give evidence the City Hall of Paris, rectitude National Theater of the Opera Comique and several murals of the University in Paris.

From 1888, the artist traveled regularly to the United States extract Canada where his work was supremely appreciated. He became a teacher use the Académie Julian. In the Decennary, following his trip to the Combined States, the artist received many instruct for portraits. The commissioning of integrity portrait of Queen Victoria (1899) was considered the crowning of the artist's career.