Alfred Stevens

Born in Brussels in 1823, he studied under Navez, a pupil of Jacques-Louis David, establishing his solid classical foundation.¹

Moving to Paris in 1844, he became a leading figure in the art scene, known as the 'painter of modern life' for his depictions of elegant women.¹

He won a first-class medal at the 1855 Exposition Universelle, gaining international fame and the patronage of Napoleon III's court.¹

For the 1889 Paris World's Fair, he created the monumental 'Panorama of the Century,' a grand project summarizing Belgian history.¹