Portrait of Edward and Paul-Pierre Perrée de Villesteux

1832

Elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts

Already known as a history painter, he is elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts of the Institut de France in the painting section, taking seat no. 13.

1833

Becomes a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts

A year after his election to the Académie, he takes up a professorship at the school where he himself once studied. His pupils include Jean-Léon Gérôme, Jean-François Millet and Thomas Couture.

1833

Commissioned to paint a mural in the Madeleine

He is commissioned to paint a large mural for the central nave of the church of the Madeleine in Paris. Aware of his lack of experience in religious painting, he spends a year in Italy studying the religious art of the past; on his return he is told he is to work with Jules-Claude Ziegler and abandons the project altogether, thinking Ziegler would spoil the image he already had in mind.

1834

Leaves for Italy

Sets off for Italy, where he marries the following year.

1834 · Nagroda

Officer of the Legion of Honour

1835

Marries Louise Vernet

Marries, in Italy, Louise, daughter of the battle painter Horace Vernet, director of the French Academy in Rome.