Ophelia

Pierre-Auguste Cot, a distinguished French painter, was born on February 17, 1837, in Bédarieux and passed away on August 2, 1883, in Paris. His artistic journey began at the École des beaux-arts in Toulouse, later continuing in Paris under the tutelage of renowned artists Léon Cogniet, Alexandre Cabanel, and William Bouguereau. Cot first showcased his work at the Paris Salon in 1863, marking the beginning of a flourishing career that would see him rise to prominence by the late 1870s. His association with Bouguereau not only influenced his artistic style but also cemented his reputation within the French art community. Cot's oeuvre is celebrated for its romantic and classical themes, with notable works such as 'Le Printemps' (1873) and 'L'Orage' (1880) housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His marriage to Juliette Duret, daughter of sculptor Francisque Duret, further integrated him into the artistic elite of his time. Beyond his creations, Cot contributed to the art world as a jury member for the Paris Salon and the Prix de Rome, and as a mentor to students including Ellen Day Hale and Anna Klumpke. His legacy is preserved in museums worldwide and in the collective memory of French art history, with his final resting place at Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.