Early Life and Education
Thomas Couture, a prominent figure in the art world, was born on December 21, 1815, in Senlis, Oise, France. At the age of 11, his family relocated to Paris, where he would go on to study at the industrial arts school (École des Arts et Métiers) and later at the École des Beaux-Arts.
Artistic Career
Despite facing initial rejection, Couture persevered and eventually won the prestigious Prix de Rome competition in 1837. He began exhibiting his historical and genre pictures at the Paris Salon in 1840, earning several medals for his works, including his masterpiece
Romans During the Decadence (1847).
Teaching and Influence
Couture's innovative technique gained significant attention, and he received government and church commissions for murals during the late 1840s through the 1850s. He also taught numerous notable artists, including
Édouard Manet,
Henri Fantin-Latour,
John La Farge,
Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, and
Karel Javůrek.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1860, Couture left Paris for his hometown of Senlis, where he continued to teach young artists. He published a book on his ideas and working methods,
Méthode et entretiens d'atelier, in 1867. This was also translated as
Conversations on Art Methods in 1879, the year of his passing.
Notable Works:
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Romans During the Decadence (1847)
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The Duel After the Masked Ball (1857)
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A Lawyer Going to Court (1860s)
Influential Students:
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Édouard Manet
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Henri Fantin-Latour
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John La Farge
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Pierre Puvis de Chavannes
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Karel Javůrek