vintage (art)

Pierre-Paul Prud'hon (1758-1823), born in Cluny, France, was a Romantic painter best known for his allegorical paintings and portraits. After the studies in art he went to Italy to continue his education. On his return to Paris, he decorated some private mansions and his work for wealthy Parisians led him to be held in high esteem at Napoleon's court. Prud'hon became the favorite portraitist of Emperor's wife, Josephine (probably they were lovers), and was also employed by Napoleon's second wife Marie-Louise. Influenced by Neo-classicism and after by Romanticism, Prud'hon was appreciated by other artists and writers like Stendhal, Delacroix, Millet and Baudelaire for his chiaroscuro and convincing realism.