Alexandre Cabanel

Artist Information


Alexandre Cabanel was born on the 28th September 1823, in Montpellier and died on the 23rd January 1889. Cabanel was a French historical, classical and religious painter that created his subjects in the academic style. He was a very successful portrait painter and was said to be Napoleon III's preferred artist.

Academic art is a style of artwork that was produced under the influence of European Academies of the arts. Specifically the academic arts and artists were influenced by the French Académie des Beaux-Arts, which practiced under the movements of Neoclassicism and Romanticism. The movements were merged, in order to create a more cohesive art style.

Themes and Notable Works

The works that he is most commonly noted for are presented below, which are mythological and religious paintings.


 The Fallen Angel (1847)
Alexandre Cabanel
Date: 1847
Style: Academicism
Genre: allegorical painting
Media: oil, canvas
Location: Private Collection

The Fallen Angel, is a late Romantic masterpiece. Inspired by Milton’s poem of "Paradise Lost", the nude angel lays on the ground whilst his fellow angels in the sky form a series of silhouettes. The brighter colour is beginning to show the influence of the Italian decorators, much of his influence from the Roman art schools. As his career progresses, Cabanel’s palette lightens and softens dramatically, which can be seen in the Birth of Venus.

With the painting above being a key interest of mine, I have studied greatly into the markings and colour selections used within it. I enjoy both the vivacity and softness, alongside the emotional presented in the face and have attempted to capture this in my own rendition of the masterful painting. I am most looking forward to painting the hair, as it will challenge my use of colour, highlights and tones greatly.



Birth of Venus (1863)
Alexandre Cabanel
Date: 1863
Style: Academicism
Genre: mythological painting
Media: oil, canvas
Location: Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France
Dimensions: 225 x 130 cm

As can be seen, his work differs greatly in the latter stages of his career to those earlier on. A far greater understanding in using jewel like colours is preserved in the piece alongside with the fluidity of markings. Personally, I prefer the dramatic tones, but do appreciate the stronger anatomical correctness of the later works.

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https://www.wikiart.org/en/paintings-by-style/academicism#!#filterName:all-works,viewType:masonry

 https://www.wikiart.org/en/alexandre-cabanel/fallen-angel

 https://www.wikiart.org/en/alexandre-cabanel/birth-of-venus-1863

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Cabanel

 https://stephengjertsongalleries.com/alexandre-cabanel-the-tradition-of-beauty/

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