Windy Day, Place De La Concorde

Jean Béraud, a French painter born on January 12, 1849, in Saint Petersburg, and passing away on October 4, 1935, in Paris, carved a niche for himself as a keen observer of Parisian life during the Belle Époque. The son of a sculptor, Béraud's early years were marked by a move to Paris following his father's death in 1853. His artistic journey began in earnest at the École des beaux-arts de Paris under the tutelage of Léon Bonnat, leading to his debut at the Salon in 1872. Béraud's talent for capturing the essence of Parisian society shone through in works like 'Le Retour de l'enterrement' and 'Scène de Bal', earning him medals at the Salon in the early 1880s. Beyond his paintings, Béraud's contributions to the art world included co-founding the Société nationale des beaux-arts in 1890 alongside luminaries such as Auguste Rodin and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, where he served as vice-president. His illustrations for 'Le Figaro illustré' and his role as a witness in Marcel Proust's duel with Jean Lorrain highlight his involvement in the cultural and intellectual circles of his time. Béraud's oeuvre, characterized by its vivid portrayal of bourgeois life, street scenes, and café culture, offers a window into the social fabric of late 19th and early 20th-century Paris. His legacy is preserved not only in his art but also in his recognition as an Officier de la Légion d'honneur, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in French art history.