Regnault

Regnault, Jean Baptiste (1754-1829), was born at Paris, and in childhood was taken to America by his father, and became a cabin-boy on a merchant vessel, when a French artist discovered his artistic leanings and took him to Rome. He made his studies there, and in 1775 carried off a prize at the French Academy. In 1783 he was elected a member of that body, and sent in as his diploma picture The Education of Achilles, which is well known by the fine engraving of Bewick. In 1795 he became professor at the Academy, and in 1813 helped to found the Academy of Fine Arts. He was made a Baron in 1819. Regnault's style is not now greatly admired.