Firmin Massot

From 1807 to 1813, he travelled throughout France, making contacts with fellow artists.

From 1828 to 1829, he toured England and Scotland, receiving many commissions along the way and becoming enamored of the English "conversation pieces".

[1] After 1820, he eschewed detailed backgrounds in favor of simple tones that emphasized the face.

[1] Created mostly for wealthy patrons, Massot would paint the figures while his associates would fill in the backgrounds with various props that symbolized the sitter.

Many prominent women were among his sitters, including Madame Recamier, the Empress Josephine and Queen Hortense.