Benjamin Constant

Background

Benjamin-Constant was born on June 10, 1845 in Paris.

Education

He studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse, where he was a pupil of Alexandre Cabanel.

Career

His affair (1794–1811) with Germaine de Staël turned him to political interests.

When Mme de Stäel was expelled (1802), however, he went into exile with her, spending the following 12 years in Switzerland and Germany.

He served (1819–22, 1824–30) in the chamber of deputies.

His first Salon picture, " Hamlet et le Roi, " was hung in 1869, and he became at once one of the recognized modern masters in France.

Parts of his correspondence and journals have been published, the latter as Le Journal intime (1887–89) and Le Cahier rouge [the red notebook] (1907).

He was a writer of repute, contributing a number of studies on contemporary French painters. He died in Paris on 26 May 1902.

Achievements

• His most important work, the introspective and semiautobiographical novel, Adolphe, is highly regarded for its style.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Imagekind Wall Art Print entitled Judith, Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant by Celestial Images | 16 x 24

    (e with pre-installed hanging hardware built into the fram...)

  • Benjamin Jean Joseph Constant - Arabian Nights - Canvas Art Print Reproduction

    (Hiqh quality reproduction art print stretched over a 2" f...)

Membership

He was made a member of the Institute in 1893, and was a commander of the Legion of Honor.