Born into the Montpellier bourgeoisie and destined to a brilliant future as a doctor like his ancestors, he turned away from this vocation to pursue his true passio n: painting.
Frédéric Bazille (1841 - 1870) was present at the genesis of Impressionism, when they decided, with Monet, Renoir, and Sisley, to leave the studio of Charles Gleyre, an early academician obsessed with ancient art. Born into the Montpellier bourgeoisie and destined to a brilliant future as a doctor like his ancestors, he turned away from this vocation to pursue his true passio n: painting.