Paul E. Poincy

Paul Édouard Rossignol des Dunes de Poincy was born in New Orleans to a well-to-do family of French descent, and was part of a group of New Orleans artists whose cultural ties were more closesly related to France than the South or to eastern U.S. cultural centers such as New York City.^[1] He studied art in Paris at the Académie Julian and at the École des Beaux-Arts. His studies in Paris extended from 1852 to 1859, during which time he was influenced by Parisian artists Marc-Charles-Gabriel Gleyre and Léon Cogniet.^[2] On his return to New Orleans, Poincy opened a studio with French-born artist Richard Clague. He was well known for paintings of New Orleans street scenes and portraits of children.^[1][3][4]

He subsequently served in the Confederate Army during the U.S. Civil War.^[3]

Following his military service, Poincy had a close association with artist Victor Pierson. The collaboration resulted in the painting Volunteer Firemen's Parade, a noted work completed in 1872. Poincy was a founder of the Southern Art Union.^[2]