Gabriel François Doyen

His father, a royal upholsterer, initially opposed his wishes to become an artist but, at the age of twelve, he began taking lessons from Charles-André van Loo.

Later, he travelled throughout Italy, studying the works of Domenichino, Annibale Carracci, Pietro Berrettini da Cortona, Giulio Romano and Michelangelo.

[2] In 1755 returned to Paris and, at first unappreciated and disparaged, he resolved by one grand effort to achieve a reputation, and in 1758 he exhibited his Death of Virginia.

[citation needed] Another notable work of this period in Doyen's life is the Triumph of Thetis for the chapel of the Invalides.

During the initial stages of the French Revolution he became active in the national museum project and created an art depository at the Petit Augustin.