Alexandre Cabanel was a French painter and art teacher. While his artistic talent became evident at an early age, his parents could not afford painting and drawing lessons. In 1839, he received a scholarship and was able to enrol at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In 1843, Cabanel first showed one of his works at the Salon de Paris. Although he only was second in the competition for the Prix de Rome in 1845, he was still allowed to go to Rome because the winner was unable to make the journey. It was in Italy that Cabanel developed the Mannerist style evident in many of his works. After his return to Paris, he received numerous commissions to decorate public buildings. Much of the works no longer exist. The Triumph of Flora on the ceiling of the Cabinet des Dessins in the Louvre, however, can still be seen today. Cabanel continued to exhibit regularly at the Salon and was awarded the order of the French Légion d’honneur in 1855. From 1863, he worked as a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts, where he taught numerous students and thus helped to form the style of the Belle Époque. Cabanel was in demand not only for mythological paintings and allegories, but also for portraits. Among others, he created a life-size painting of Napoleon III and depicted numerous aristocrats.