French artist Gustave Moreau (1826-1898) is known for his strange and mystical works, often portraying scenes from mythology or religion. Although admired in his time, his works fell out of favor until the 1960s, when there was a revival of interest. Moreau instructed Henri Matisse and Georges Rouault, two famous French artists.

Received Artistic Encouragement

Gustave Moreau was born in Paris on April 6, 1826. His father, Louis-Jean Marie Moreau, born in 1790, was a successful architect for the city of Paris and the Ministry of the Interior. He was head of construction for the Place de la Concorde and a number of other buildings. The artist's mother, Adele Pauline Desmoutier, born in 1802, was the daughter of a chateau owner and former mayor of Douai. Like her husband, she had a comfortable, upper-middle-class childhood. Gustave Moreau had a younger sister, Camille, who died when he was 14 years old.

Moreau attended boarding...