He studied with Isidore Pils, Henri Lehmann and Jean Éloi Malenfant [fr] at the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris.[1] His first exhibit at the Salon came in 1870, and he would continue to exhibit there until his death. He also had showings with the Société des Artistes Français.[2]
In 1878, he was awarded first place in the Prix de Rome for his work "César-Auguste au tombeau d'Alexandre". Later, he received silver medals at the Exposition Universelle (1889) and the Exposition Universelle (1900).[1]
In 1910, he was named a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts and also served on the faculty at the Académie Julian. Marie Laforge [fr], Ahmed Sabri, Henri-Alexandre Sollier and Sébastien Laurent [fr] were among his better known students. He became a member of the Institut de France in 1924.[3]
In addition to his canvases, he executed decorative paintings on the ceilings of the Sorbonne, the Hôtel de ville de Tours [fr], the Hôtel de ville de Roubaix [fr] and the École des Beaux-Arts, as well as panels for the foyer at the théâtre de l'Odéon.[4]
He was named a Knight in the Legion of Honor in 1890, and was later promoted to Officer.[5] He is interred at the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise.
His works may be seen at the Musée de l'Armée and the Musée d'Orsay.
