Early Life and Training
Jean-François Raffaëlli, a French realist painter, sculptor, and printmaker, was born on April 20, 1850, in Paris. He was of Tuscan descent through his paternal grandparents. Before becoming a painter, Raffaëlli showed an interest in music and theatre. In 1870, he began his painting career, and one of his landscape paintings was accepted for exhibition at the Salon in the same year.
Artistic Style and Influences
Raffaëlli's artistic style was shaped by his brief training under
Jean-Léon Gérôme at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. However, he soon parted ways with traditional academic art to develop his unique realist approach. His work was championed by influential critics like
J.-K. Huysmans and
Edgar Degas. Raffaëlli's theory of realism, which he termed "caractérisme," emphasized the careful observation of man in his milieu.
Notable Works and Exhibitions
*
Les buveurs d'absinthe (1881), a painting widely praised at the 1881 exhibit, is now housed in the California Palace of Legion of Honor Art Museum in San Francisco.
* Raffaëlli's work was featured in the Impressionist exhibitions of 1880 and 1881, alongside Monet's works.
* His painting
At the caster's (1886) is now part of the collection at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lyon.
Museums and Collections
*
The Museum Collection of Daniel Filipacchi (Paris, France), featured on [https://WahooArt.com](https://WahooArt.com), showcases Raffaëlli's works alongside other surrealist masterpieces.
* The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne, also listed on WahooArt, houses an impressive collection of Western paintings, including works by renowned artists like
François Perrier, Lanfranco, and
Van Goyen.
- View Raffaëlli's artwork on WahooArt: [https://WahooArt.com/@/Jean-Francois-Raffaelli](https://WahooArt.com/@/Jean-Francois-Raffaelli)
- Explore the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne collection: [https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3APQ7](https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3APQ7)
- Learn more about Raffaëlli's life and work on Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Fran%C3%A7ois_Raffa%C3%ABlli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Fran%C3%A7ois_Raffa%C3%ABlli)
Key Dates:
* April 20, 1850: Born in Paris
* 1870: Began painting career
* 1880-1881: Featured in Impressionist exhibitions
* February 11, 1924: Passed away in Paris