Firmin-Girard, Marie Francois (1838-1921)

Marie Francois Firmin-Girard was born in Ponsin (Ain) 0n May 29, 1838 and died in Monti­on on January 8, 1921. Firmin-Girard's arrival in Paris on October 1854 to enroll at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts could not have been at a better time. At a surprisingly early age, Firmin-Girard became a frequent the ateliers of Gleyre and Gérôme. The acceptance of academic genre, landscapes, historical subjects and portraits were at their all time height when, Firmin-Girard debuted at the Paris Salon of 1859 with Saint Sébastian. Firmin-Girard would continue to exhibit at the Salons with incredible praise for his fine genre, historical landscapes and portraits. He would win the prix de Rome in 1861 and was awarded medals at the Salon of 1863 for Apres de bal, Mort de la princess de Lamballe (1865), Marchande de fleurs (1872), Toilette japonaise (1873), Rêverie, Les fiancé, la peche (1874, second class medal). Additional notable paintings and successes were; Noce au XVIII siècle, (1879), Baptême au XVIII siècle (1883), Boeufs charolais au ferrage (1886), Un puits mitoyen (1890), Sur la terrasse, à Onival (1896), Le carreau des halles (1901), Chàteau de Gatelier, autumne (1905), Boulangerie charolaise, Intérieur picard (1908) and Les gaufres (1909). He was awarded a bronze medal at the l'Exposition Universelle of 1900 with Le Quai aux Fleurs and Berger d'Onival. Firmin-Girard became one of the most noted and successful painters in Paris during his life.