Pierre-Alexandre Wille

Son of the engraver, Johann Georg Wille, he received his first lessons in art at his father's studio.

For a time, he served as a court painter to King Louis XVI.

During the French Revolution, he served with the Garde Nationale, but was ruined financially.

[1] In 1821, after recurring bouts of illness over twelve years, Claude-Paule went mad and was committed to the asylum at Charenton.

In order to pay the cost of her stay there, he had to appeal for charity from Duchess Marie Thérèse.