Jean André Rixens

Jean André Rixens (1846–1925), French, Jean André Rixens, a distinguished French painter, was born on November 30, 1846, in Saint-Gaudens, Haute-Garonne, into a modest family where his father worked as a shoemaker. His artistic journey began at the École des beaux-arts in Toulouse in 1860, where he honed his skills by painting commercial signs and copying artworks to support his education. His talent was recognized early when he won the second grand prize from the City of Toulouse in 1866 for his work 'La Mort d’Alcibiade,' a achievement that secured him a scholarship to study at the prestigious École des beaux-arts in Paris under Adolphe Yvon, a master of military history painting.
In Paris, Rixens immersed himself in the vibrant art scene, giving private lessons and collaborating with renowned art dealers like Goupil, while also contributing illustrations for Hachette. His artistic education reached its zenith under the tutelage of Jean-Léon Gérôme, where he formed a lasting friendship with Alfred Roll, another luminary of the Third Republic's art world. Despite his ambition to win the Prix de Rome, which eluded him in 1870 with 'La Mort de Messaline,' he achieved significant acclaim with historical paintings such as 'La Mort de Cléopatre' and 'Le Cadavre de César,' which cemented his reputation. His travels to Italy enriched his artistic vision, and by the 1880s, Rixens had established himself as a prominent figure in French art, participating in exclusive exhibitions and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape until his death in Paris on February 21, 1925.