Francois-Xavier Fabre joined David's studio in Paris after several years at Montpellier's art academy. In 1787 Fabre became David's second pupil to win the Prix de Rome.

Upheavals in revolutionary France and Fabre's monarchist sympathies kept him in Italy for much of his life. Moving to Florence in 1793, Fabre found patrons in Italian aristocrats and tourists who appreciated the elegance, realism, and precision of his portraits.

Death of Abel

Death of Abel (Abel Tod), 1790: a depiction of the result of the first murder. Displayed in the Musee Fabre in Montpellier, France. You can purchase paper and canvas prints of this masterpiece at my online store.

As a member of the Florentine academy and an art teacher, art collector, and art dealer, Francois-Xavier Fabre was prominent in Florentine society. Changing fashions, lack of patrons' interest, and gout caused him to abandon history painting for portraiture, landscape, and printmaking, though he remained a lifelong devotee of David's Neoclassicism. In 1824 his companion, the countess of Albany, died and left Fabre her fortune.

Returning to France, Fabre increasingly dedicated himself to his hometown of Montpellier, founding an art school and curating his donations of books, paintings, drawings, and artworks. The Musée Fabre was inaugurated on his feast day in 1828.

Death of Saint Sebasian