Émile Lévy: An Academician

Émile Lévy - Mme Emile Lévy, née Céline Joséphine Bidard de La Noë - 1883 - Private Collection (click photo for larger image)French Academic Painter Émile Lévy (1826-1890) studied at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris under Abel Depujol and François Edouard Picot. In 1854 he was given the Grand Prix de Rome award and exhibited several times at the salons and the expositions, after 1859.  His work contains portraits and historical scenes under the influence of the Academism. He also created some poster designs.

Academic Art is the painting and sculpture produced under the influence of the Academies in Europe and especially France, where many artists received their formal training. It is characterized by its highly polished style, its use of mythological or historical subject matter, and its moralistic tone. Neoclassical Art was also closely associated with the French Academy and the 19th century Salons at which art was submitted for display and prizes were awarded. 

French Impressionism was the avant-garde movement that challenged Academic Art, and is now widely regarded as the first movement of modern art. As such, in the realm of art history, Impressionism very much overshadows Academic Art. However, it is important to remember that many highly talented and highly skilled artists were part of the academic tradition.