Pierre-Raymond-Jacques Monvoisin

French, 1794–1870

Monvoisin was born in Bordeaux. He studied at the École des beaux-arts with Pierre-Narcisse Guérin (1774–1833), an artist specializing in classical and mythological themes. In 1816, Monvoisin won the course de places, a life drawing competition, to the disappointment of fellow pupil, Theodore Géricault (1791–1824). In 1820, Monvoisin won a Prix de Rome in 1820 for a depiction of Achilles and Nestor, allowing travel to Rome. He was recognized by King Louis XVIII during the early 1820s. His brother, Jean-Francois-Marie Monvoisin, was a prominent architect in Paris.

Monvoisin also designed lithographs, and may have had a studio at Passage de l'Orme in Paris. He married Domenica Festa (1805–1881), an accomplished miniaturist and painter of still lifes. Monvoisin was a member of the Frères Artistes, a Masonic lodge in Paris. Monvoisin died in Boulogne-sur-Seine. Although Monvoisin painted many Louisianans, there is no evidence he visited the U.S.