Frédéric Bazille Biography - Oil Painting Reproductions

Frédéric Bazille was born in 1841 in Montpellier, France, into a rich middle-class Protestant family. In 1859, he began to study medicine in Montpellier and, in 1862, continued his medical studies in Paris, at the same time attending painting classes at Atelier Gleyre, where he met Monet, Renoir and Sisley. They became close friends; Bazille supported Monet financially, they spent much time painting together plein-air in the forest of Fontainebleau, Honfleur; he shared a studio with Monet in 1865, with Renoir in 1866. In 1864 Bazille gave up his medical studies for painting.

Since 1866, Bazille exhibited at the Salon; he painted numerous portraits of friends and members of his family in the various studios. In his painting style he was influenced by Manet and Courbet. In 1869, his picture Angler with Nets caused a fierce debate. His quiet clear landscapes and harmonious family scenes in muted colors made him one of the most significant representatives of Early Impressionism: The Terrace at Méric (Oleander) and Family Reunion.

During Franco-Prussian War he volunteered into the regular army and was killed in 1870 at Beaune-la-Rolande, before Impressionism had fully developed.