Alfred Stevens

Alfred Émile Léopold Stevens, born on May 11, 1823, in Brussels, was a Belgian painter. The son of a painting enthusiast, Léopold Stevens, a former officer and collector of works by masters such as Eugène Delacroix and Théodore Géricault, Alfred grew up in an artistic environment that would shape his education and career. He is also the brother of Joseph Stevens, an animal painter, and Arthur Stevens, an art dealer, highlighting the importance of art within his family.

After initial training under François-Joseph Navez, Alfred moved to Paris in 1844, encouraged by Camille Roqueplan. He was admitted to the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Ingres’ studio. In Paris, he mingled with emblematic figures of art and literature, such as Charles Baudelaire, Eugène Delacroix, and Édouard Manet, thus forging an influential network that would support his career.

Alfred first gained recognition for his realistic works depicting urban misery and genre scenes, some of which highlighted social injustices. His painting “What is Called Vagrancy,” presented at the 1855 Universal Exposition, caught the attention of Napoleon III, leading to reforms in the treatment of vagrants in Paris. This work reflects his social commitment and desire to raise awareness through art.

From the 1860s onwards, Stevens evolved towards more intimate representations, featuring elegant young women in bourgeois interiors. His exhibitions at the Salon, particularly in 1861 with works like “All Happiness,” earned him a wide clientele and high prices for his paintings.

He received a gold medal at the 1867 Universal Exposition and was promoted to the rank of officer of the Legion of Honor. The artist moved between high society and artistic circles while supporting his contemporaries like Degas and Manet. Additionally, he opened a painting studio for women, attended, among others, by Sarah Bernhardt.

Health problems forced him to stop painting in the 1890s. In 1900, he became the first living artist to have a solo exhibition at the Beaux-Arts in Paris, a final tribute to his career. He passed away on August 24, 1906, in Paris.