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1827 |
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Breton was born on May 1st to a prominent family in the small village of Courrières in the Artois region of northern France
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1837 |
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Breton was sent to school at a Catholic seminary, and three years later to the college of Douai, where he received a classical education. It was his first opportunity to study drawing.
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1843 |
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In the summer of 1843, he so impressed the Belgian artist, Felix de Vigne with his portraits and sketches after nature, that the artist invited Breton to study with him in his studio as well as at the Royal Academy in Ghen
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1852 |
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Focused his attention on landscape painting in the environs of Paris.
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1861 |
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Named a Chevalier of the Legion d’honneur
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1867 |
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Promoted to officer of the same order
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1872 |
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Awarded the Medal of Honor
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1886 |
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His election to the Institut de France solidified his status as one of the most respected painters of his day.
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1886 |
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This same year his painting, The Communicants, sold at auction in New York for $45,000—the highest price paid for the work of a living artist with the exception of a painting by Meissonier.
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1906 |
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Died in Paris on July 4th
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