Gustav Moreau was born in 1826. Moreau was raised in the Romantic tradition and influenced by the literary sources of the past. But unlike most Romantic period artists who were influenced by contemporary events and literature, Moreau wished to only explore the Romantic possibilities of ancient civilizations and mythologies, in turn creating fantasies of the false antique and developing a style quite unique.

Moreau had encountered harsh criticism and appeared isolated from contemporary painters like Delacroix and Ingres, as a result he became something of a recluse.

As a painter of the literary idea rather than the visual image, his pictures would appeal to the imagination of certain Symbolist writers and artists, who saw him as the pre- cursor of their movement.

Moreau, like the Symbolist Odilon Redon, endeavored to convert art into a vehicle for more personal emotions, fantasies and dreams. He preferred subjects as remote as possible from the everyday world.

Moreau used a meticulous and ornate style reminiscent of certain 15th century Italian masters. He expanded his love of sensuous design and embraced brilliant color, intricate line, and richly detailed shape. His paintings have a jewel- like appearance, combined with the exotic hues of mediaeval enamels and Byzantine mosaics.

Moreau would be made professor at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in 1891, and counted among his many students the great Fauve painter Henri Matisse.