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Alexandre Cabanel Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Alexandre Cabanel · 1823 – 1889

Fallen Angel

1847 · Musée Fabre, Montpellier · original 121 x 190 cm

Experience Alexandre Cabanel’s "Fallen Angel" – a dramatic Romantic masterpiece! Explore its symbolism, academic technique & profound emotional impact. A stunning addition to any art collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17740 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$818190 × 121 cm Commission at original size

Fanny Clapp

1881 · Yale University Art Gallery, Hartford

Admire Alexandre Cabanel's 'Fanny Clapp,' a stunning Academic masterpiece showcasing exquisite detail and grace. Explore the painting’s history & artistry at Yale University Art Gallery.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Victor Massé

1847 · Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton

Admire Alexandre Cabanel’s ‘Portrait of Victor Massé’ (1847). A striking 19th-century portrait showcasing meticulous detail & classic style. Discover a timeless masterpiece for art collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Death of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta

1870 · Musée d'Orsay, Paris · original 184 x 255 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The Death of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta

1870 · Musée d'Orsay, Paris

Experience Alexandre Cabanel’s ‘Death of Francesca da Rimini,’ a poignant Academic Art masterpiece depicting a timeless tale of love and loss with meticulous detail and classical influence – discover this stunning reproduction.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Madame Carette

1868 · Musee National du Chateau de Compiegne, Compiegne

Admire 'Madame Carette' by Alexandre Cabanel – a captivating 1868 portrait of a woman with intense eyes. A stunning example of French academic art, showcasing classical beauty and detail.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Envoys of the Senate Offer the Dictatorship to Cincinnatus

1844 · Musée Fabre, Montpellier

Envoys of the Senate Offer the Dictatorship to Cincinnatus

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

TRIOMPHE DE FLORE

The Louvre, Paris

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$40225 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

John the Baptist

1849 · Musée Fabre, Montpellier

Admire Alexandre Cabanel’s ‘John the Baptist,’ a stunning 1849 Academic Classicism masterpiece. Explore this iconic oil painting's detail, symbolism & legacy at the Musée Fabre.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$25227 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

La Chiaruccia

1848 · Musée Fabre, Montpellier · original 97 x 78 cm

La Chiaroscuro - Alexandre Cabanel (1875-1889) portrays a woman adorned with flowers and gazing intently at the viewer against a backdrop of serene mountains and trees. Executed in 1848, this masterpiece exemplifies the meticulous craftsmanship characteristic of academic art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$37078 × 97 cm Commission at original size

La Comtesse de Keller

1873 · Musée d'Orsay, Paris

Admire Alexandre Cabanel’s ‘La Comtesse de Keller,’ a stunning 1873 neoclassical portrait. Experience meticulous detail, dramatic lighting & aristocratic elegance in this classic oil painting.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The Birth of Venus

1863 · Musée d'Orsay, Paris · original 130 x 225 cm

Among three versions, the Musée d'Orsay holds the original masterpiece. Explore its influence on art education and artistic styles.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17742 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$998225 × 130 cm Commission at original size

Paradise Lost (also known as The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Paradise)

View the most popular artwork of Alexandre Cabanel ranked #13: Paradise Lost (also known as The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Paradise)

1867

Experience the dramatic intensity of Cabanel's 19th-century masterpiece, Paradise Lost, depicting Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden; discover this iconic scene today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The Nymph Echo

1874 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york

Captured in exquisite Academic style by Alexandre Cabanel during 1874, ‘The Nymph Echo’ portrays a contemplative woman amidst breathtaking cliffs and mountains—a masterful depiction of light and emotion that invites you to explore this timeless masterpiece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Mary Frick Garrett (later Mrs. Henry Barton Jacobs)

1885 · Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore

Admire 'Mary Frick Garrett' by Alexandre Cabanel (1885). A stunning portrait capturing elegance & sophistication, part of the Baltimore Museum of Art’s collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

The Birth of Venus

1875 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 106 x 183 cm

Experience Alexandre Cabanel’s ‘The Birth of Venus,’ a breathtaking 1875 academic masterpiece depicting the goddess emerging from the sea with angelic figures. A stunning example of classical beauty, perfect for art lovers and collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17741 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$714183 × 106 cm Commission at original size

Mary Victoria Leiter (1870–1906), Lady Curzon

1887 · National Trust, Derby · original 130 x 94 cm

Admire Alexandre Cabanel's masterpiece, 'Mary Victoria Leiter (1870–1906), Lady Curzon,' a stunning portrait embodying Victorian elegance and artistic tradition. Explore WikiOO’s exquisite reproductions.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$50694 × 130 cm Commission at original size

Paul the First Hermit with Lions

1841 · Musée Fabre, Montpellier

Experience Alexandre Cabanel's 'Paul the First Hermit with Lions,' a stunning oil painting depicting a solitary figure and majestic lions. A masterpiece of 19th-century French art, now available as a high-quality reproduction.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of an Arab

1875 · Musée Fabre, Montpellier · original 65 x 54 cm

Alexandre Cabanel’s “Portrait of An Arab,” completed in Orientalism style, captures the dignity and mystique of Islamic culture through meticulous detail and masterful technique—a timeless masterpiece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25154 × 65 cm Commission at original size

Self Portrait as a Child

1836 · Musée Fabre, Montpellier · original 51 x 42 cm

Admire Alexandre Cabanel's "Self Portrait as a Child" (1836), a poignant early work showcasing youthful introspection & academic mastery. Oil on canvas, Musée Fabre. Shop high-quality reproductions now!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$21142 × 51 cm Commission at original size

Samson and Delilah

1878

A dramatic scene of intense emotion and classical beauty unfolds in Alexandre Cabanel's 1878 masterpiece Samson and Delilah, inviting you to explore the profound depth of this exquisite French academic painting.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

The Evening Angel

1848 · Musée Fabre, Montpellier · original 19 x 23 cm

Experience Alexandre Cabanel's 'The Evening Angel,' a captivating oil painting of an angelic figure embodying serenity and contemplation. A masterpiece of Romanticism, perfect for art lovers.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Mrs. Collis Potter Huntington

1882 · Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco

Admire Alexandre Cabanel's 'Mrs. Collis Potter Huntington,' a stunning 1882 portrait capturing elegance and grace. Explore the artistry & historical context of this iconic masterpiece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17724 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Esquisse pour Le Triomphe de Flore

The Louvre, Paris

Discover Alexandre Cabanel's 'Esquisse pour Le Triomphe de Flore,' a preparatory sketch for a stunning classical scene of Flora. Explore its pastel hues, dynamic composition & academic style.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$45226 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Emperor Napoleon III

1865 · Musee National du Chateau de Compiegne, Compiegne · original 238 x 170 cm

Admire Alexandre Cabanel's 'Emperor Napoleon III,' a stunning portrait capturing the emperor’s regal presence and intellectual pursuits, housed at the Musee National du Chateau de Compiegne.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 85 artworks by Alexandre Cabanel
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1321170 × 238 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Alexandre Cabanel

1823 – 1889

Quick facts

Mediumsoil on canvas
Best occasionsstatement, accent
Topics exploredclassical art, portraiture, portraits, mythology, romanticism
Top-ranked workFallen Angel
Vibeelegant
Works on APS85
Museums on APSThe Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Baltimore Museum of Art
Died1889

Biography

Early Life, Family and Artistic Training

Alexandre Cabanel was born on September 28, 1823, in Montpellier, France. He grew up in a modest household as the son of a carpenter. While his family's daily life was rooted in manual labor and craftsmanship, the young boy possessed a natural inclination toward drawing. By the age of ten, his talent was clear enough that he began formal instruction at the local art school in Montpellier. He studied under Charles Matet at the Montpellier School of Fine Arts, where he first learned to translate observation into form.

His early promise eventually led him away from the southern coast of France toward the center of the French art world. In 1839, a scholarship allowed him to move to Paris to continue his education. He entered the École des Beaux-Arts that year, joining the studio of François-Édouard Picot in October. This training was rigorous and focused on the classical principles that would define his career. Under Picot, he learned the discipline required to master the human figure and the historical subjects that the academies demanded.

The Prix de Rome and Roman Years

The path to success became clear for Cabanel in 1845. At twenty-two years old, he won the Prix de Rome scholarship, a prize that would change the course of his life. This achievement allowed him to leave the structured classrooms of Paris for the open air and ancient history of Italy. He spent his time as a resident of the Villa Medici until 1850, a period that allowed him to live among the very classical ideals he sought to capture on canvas.

While living in Rome, his brush moved between religious devotion and grand historical narratives. In 1849, he painted St. John the Baptist, a work that reflected the weight of his studies. By 1850, he had completed The Death of Moses. This painting was significant enough to be exhibited at the Salon of 1852, marking his emergence as a serious presence in the French art scene after his return from Italy.

Patrons and Major Commissions

Success in the Parisian art world often depended on the support of influential figures, and for Cabanel, that support came from both private collectors and the highest levels of government. Alfred Bruyas, a fellow native of Montpellier, became a chief patron during a formative period of the artist's career. Bruyas’s interest in Cabanel’s work led to several significant commissions, including Albaydé, La Chiaruccia, and A Thinker, Young Roman Monk. These works allowed the artist to explore more mysterious and tragic themes that would become a hallmark of his style.

As his reputation grew, Cabanel’s reach extended into the grandest spaces of French public and private life. He was the preferred painter of Napoleon III, a connection that solidified his standing during the Second Empire. Beyond the intimate scale of portraiture, he was frequently called upon to handle large-scale decorative projects. The architect Jean-Baptiste Cicéron Lesueur commissioned him to decorate twelve pendentives in the Salon des Caryatides. This was part of a broader career in interior decoration that saw him working on significant projects for the Hôtel Pereire and the Hôtel Say.

Key Works and Artistic Success

The year 1863 brought a turning point in Cabanel's career with the presentation of The Birth of Venus. This depiction of the goddess emerging from the sea caused an immediate sensation within the art world. While some found the work's sensuality controversial, its impact was undeniable. The painting was so highly regarded that Napoleon III purchased it for his own personal collection, a move that solidified Cabanel's standing among the most sought-after painters of the Second Empire.

As his career progressed, Cabanel continued to engage with the grand traditions of classical literature. In 1880, he exhibited Phaedra at the Salon, a large-scale work focusing on a classical subject from literature. This painting eventually found its way to the Musée Fabre in his hometown of Montpellier. His ability to handle monumental subjects was also evident in his decorative work, such as The Triumph of Flora, which is held in the Louvre.

The Birth of Venus
Phaedra
The Triumph of Flora

Technique and Academic Style

Cabanel’s hand was guided by the strict discipline of academic realism. He did not seek to capture the messy, fleeting impressions of a moment, but rather to achieve a sense of permanence through precise draftsmanship and meticulous detail. His brushwork was smooth, almost invisible, allowing for subtle gradations of tone that gave his figures a soft, polished finish. This technical control was most evident in his treatment of the human form; he possessed a particular talent for rendering flesh tones with a realism that made his subjects appear to possess actual warmth and life.

His compositions were built upon the classical ideals of harmony, balance, and proportion. He looked to the past to find his subjects, often turning to historical, mythological, or religious narratives to provide the foundation for his canvases. In these works, he sought to idealize his subjects, refining their features to meet a standard of classical beauty rather than simply replicating the world as it appeared. This pursuit of an idealized reality allowed him to create images that felt both grounded in human anatomy and elevated by a sense of grace.

The Birth of Venus, 1863
Ophelia, 1883
Portrait of Countess E. A. Vorontsova Dashkova

Circle, Rivals and Pupils

Cabanel occupied a central, often defensive, position within the French art establishment. He was a determined opponent of the Impressionists, finding their approach at odds with the traditions he spent his life upholding. This tension became public during the Salon of 1863, when he and William-Adolphe Bouguereau refused to allow Édouard Manet to exhibit his work. This decision helped trigger the creation of the Salon des Refusés, marking a significant fracture in the Parisian art scene between the old guard and the new movements.

While he stood firm against these changing tides, Cabanel was also deeply invested in the future of the next generation. In 1864, he was appointed a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts, a role he held until his death in 1889. He was a dedicated teacher who shaped the hands and minds of many. His influence was widespread; his pupils could be counted by the hundred at the Salons, carrying his technical precision into the following decades.

Later Years and Death

By the middle of his career, Cabanel had reached the highest levels of the French art establishment. In 1863, he was elected as a member of the Academy of Fine Arts, occupying the tenth chair. His standing in society continued to rise, and in 1864, he was appointed an officer of the Legion of Honor. These honors reflected his influence within the official structures of the time. He remained deeply involved in the selection process for the Salon, serving as a jury member seventeen times between 1868 and 1888.

As the decades passed, the art world around him began to shift, yet he remained a steady presence in the Parisian art scene. He continued to paint and teach, maintaining his commitment to the classical traditions he had mastered decades earlier. His life eventually came to an end in Paris, France, on January 23, 1889. While he spent his final years in the capital, his roots remained in the south. He was buried in Saint-Lazare, Montpellier.

Where to See the Works Today

To find the heart of Cabanel’s legacy, one often begins in Montpellier, France. The Musée Fabre holds the largest concentration of his output, with twelve works preserved in his home region. Among these are his early explorations of light and shadow, such as the 1848 painting A Thinker, Young Roman Monk, and the 1847 work Fallen Angel. These pieces offer a direct look at the technical precision that defined his early career.

In Paris, his presence is felt through several significant collections. The Musée d'Orsay houses six of his paintings, including the famous 1863 depiction of The Birth of Venus. Nearby, the Louvre contains two works, including the undated TRIOMPHE DE FLORE. These Parisian collections allow viewers to see how his style evolved as he moved through the heights of the Salon system.

His influence extends far beyond France, reaching major institutions in the United States. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York holds four of his works, including the 1874 painting The Nymph Echo. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Museum of Art preserves two pieces, such as the 1885 portrait of Mary Frick Garrett (later Mrs. Henry Barton Jacobs). These international holdings ensure that his specific approach to the human form remains accessible to a global audience.

The Birth of Venus (1863)
Fallen Angel (1847)
A Thinker, Young Roman Monk (1848)
The Nymph Echo (1874)

Questions & Answers

What are the birth city and country of Alexandre Cabanel?

Alexandre Cabanel was born in Montpellier, in France.

How can I follow Alexandre Cabanel's work year by year?

The artist's Artwork Timeline page presents Alexandre Cabanel's works ordered by date, year by year.

Where are Alexandre Cabanel's artworks organized by color?

Alexandre Cabanel's works can be explored by color on the artist's Spectral Index page.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Oct. 12, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which city was Alexandre Cabanel born?
Who was Cabanel's teacher at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris?
Which painting by Cabanel was purchased by Napoleon III for his personal collection?
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In which year did Cabanel win the Prix de Rome scholarship?

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