Henri Rouart

Later, he attended the École Polytechnique and studied engineering, but also took art classes.

[1] He was an artillery captain in the Franco-Prussian War, and rescued Degas during the Siege of Paris.

[2] In addition to painting, he was an avid art collector and a patron of several artists, including Berthe Morisot, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Renoir, as well as his old friend, Degas.

[2] In 1891, he was elected Mayor of La Queue-en-Brie, in Val-de-Marne; a position he held until his death.

The sale brought in a huge sum, and had the effect of increasing the value of Impressionist paintings in general.