Octave Gallian

Lazare Octave Georges Victor Gallian (21 July 1855, Toulon – 10 January 1918, Paris) was a French painter, known for portraits and landscapes.

Raised in an affluent environment, he initially showed great talent for playing the violin and piano, but eventually chose to pursue a career in art.

In 1873, aged only eighteen, he became an associate in a workshop in Toulon, operated by Frédéric Montenard and Gustave Garaud.

To improve his skills, he attended at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, then enrolled at the Académie Julian, where he studied with Jules Lefebvre, Gustave Boulanger and Charles Ginoux [fr][1].After graduating, he established his studio on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, focusing primarily on female portraits.

In 1887, he received a commission for two decorative panels in the staircase of the Musée d'art de Toulon [fr], depicting a fisherman and a winnower.