Background
Boulanger was born in Paris, France, on April 25, 1824. He became an orphan when he was 14 and was raised by his uncle.
Boulanger was born in Paris, France, on April 25, 1824. He became an orphan when he was 14 and was raised by his uncle.
Gustave Boulanger was sent by his uncle to the studio of Pierre-Jules Jollivet. He became a pupil of Paul Delaroche in 1840. In 1849 Boulanger received the Prix de Rome with his painting Ulysses.
Boulanger visited Algeria for the first time in 1845. This visit gave him an interest in Orientalist themes, which was taken up later by his close friend Jean-Léon Gérome. Boulanger's knowledge of Pompeii also gave him plenty of ideas for his future works, including the Rehearsal in the House of the Tragic Poet (1855), in which the influence of Stratonice was still obvious.
His paintings are excellent examples of academic art of that time, in particular, history painting. Boulanger visited Greece, Italy, and North Africa, and his paintings reflect his attention to culturally correct details and his outstanding skill in rendering the female form. The artist specialized in painting studies of daily life from ancient Greece and Rome, as well as Arab subjects.
Over the course of his career, Gustave Boulanger managed to create plenty of artworks. For instance, his works include a Moorish Cafe (1848), Cæsar at the Rubicon (1865), the Promenade in the Street of Tombs, Pompeii (1869), and The Slave Market (1888). Boulanger also painted a number of decorative schemes, at the Paris Opéra (1861-1874), at the theatre of the Casino in Monte Carlo (1879), and other locations
He joined the staff of the Institut de France in 1882 and became an influential teacher, who was noted for his dislike of the Impressionism and its successors.
The Farm Girl
A Woman with an Urn
The Flute Concert
The Amorous Dancers
It's the Emir
An Arab Horseman
Phryne
A Tale of 1001 Nights
The Slave Market
Theatrical Rehearsal in the House of an Ancient Rome Poet
The Return
The Flower Girl
Reception Of An Emir
Le harem du palais
In the mosque
Scène romaine
Etude de cavalier pour 'La Via Appia au temps d'Auguste
Une Captive
Aristocratic ladies promenading at the city walls
Midday break
Summer Breeze
A water carrier at the harem entrance
At Pompei
L'appel de l'Amour
A Beduin Musician
Le cavalier de la nuit
Arabs watering their horses
Couple d'orientaux
Árabe descansando
Le Gynécée
Sapho
Messager apportant une lettre à une princesse
El Hiasseub, conteur Arabe
Jeune fille à la rose
Catherine I of Russia negotiating the Treaty of Prut with the Turks
A mother and son embrace