Behind the Curtain at the Ballet

Henri Gervex was a French painter who studied painting under Alexandre Cabanel, Pierre-Nicolas Brisset, and Eugène Fromentin (the classic academician of the second half of 19th century). At the beginning of his career he painted mostly mythological scenes in the Academic style. From 1877 on he adopted a lighter style and took his inspiration from contemporary life. He painted many female figures, many times nude. Gervex mixed with the Impressionists, whom he met in the cafés of the Nouvelle Athènes quarter, now the 9th Arrondissement in Paris; his influence as a jury member was instrumental in his friend Manet’s admission to the Salon. Gervex was also a friend of Degas and a constant companion of Renoir. In 1876 he was the model for the male figure in Renoir’s The Swing and also appears in the Dance at the Moulin de la Galette.