French, 1833-1887

Leon-Joseph Voirin and his twin brother Jules-Antoine built successful careers as French genre painters. Both studied under Eugene Guerard, and Leon subsequently debuted at the Paris Salon in 1874. The brothers painted military subjects as well as sporting scenes and genre subjects. Leon specifically made a specialty of chronicling the city life of Paris-the bustling boulevards and social events that marked the gaiety of the Belle Époque in a style similar to that of Jean Béraud.

Leon Voirin drew inspiration from the lively Parisian nightlife that took place in the cafes, cabarets, operas and music halls of that great city. The city at leisure became his theme and paintings of horse races, the ballet, the theatre, parks and flower markets filled his oeuvre.