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Portrait of Carrier-Belleuse
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $181 28 × 35 cm
Same size as the original $315 66 × 82 cm Order at original size →
Portrait of Carrier-Belleuse (1877) is the most famous painting by Fernand Cormon, held by the Petit Palais in Paris. Sketch for the Ceiling of the Wedding Hall of the Mairie of the 4ème: The Marriage (1878) and Murder in the Serail (1874) are the next two works the world knows best. From the 43 works of Fernand Cormon in our catalogue, here are the 43 that collectors and museum visitors look at most, with the year, the museum and the story of each.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated October 2026. Every masterpiece on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, at the size you choose.
In this oil on canvas, Fernand-Anne Piestre Dit Cormon captures the presence of Émile Loubet. The subject sits with a quiet, dignified authority, his form rendered through the…
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The four subjects that return most often among these masterpieces, with the finest example of each.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Fernand Cormon | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Petit Palais |
Paris | 18 | Portrait of Carrier-Belleuse, Sketch for the Ceiling of the Wedding Hall of the Mairie of the 4ème: The Marriage, Sketch for the Hôtel de Ville de Paris: History of Writing, Modern Times |
 Musée d'Orsay |
Paris | 3 | Émile Loubet, NU, Cain |
 Musée des Beaux-Arts |
Carcassonne | 2 | Return from a Bear Hunt, Beaux-Arts de Carcassone - Portrait de Madame Cormon - Fernand Cormon |
 Musée Toulouse-Lautrec |
Albi | 2 | Portrait of Mademoiselle Rochefort de Woogt, Woman on a beach |
 Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie |
Bésonçon | 1 | Murder in the Serail |
 Musée Victor Hugo |
Paris | 1 | The Satyr |
 Musée d'art et d'histoire de Narbonne |
Narbonne | 1 | The Harem |
 Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper |
Quimper | 1 | Avant la pêche |
Portrait of Carrier-Belleuse (1877), Petit Palais, Paris. Next come Sketch for the Ceiling of the Wedding Hall of the Mairie of the 4ème: The Marriage (1878) and Murder in the Serail (1874).
32 years old: Portrait of Carrier-Belleuse dates from 1877 and Fernand Cormon was born in 1845.
Portrait of Carrier-Belleuse, Sketch for the Ceiling of the Wedding Hall of the Mairie of the 4ème: The Marriage, Murder in the Serail, Return from a Bear Hunt, The Satyr, Sketch for the Hôtel de Ville de Paris: History of Writing, Modern Times, Sketch for the Hôtel de Ville de Paris: History of Writing - Ancient Times, Beaux-Arts de Carcassone - Portrait de Madame Cormon - Fernand Cormon, Bronze and Iron, Sketch for the Paleontology Amphitheater of the Museum d'histoire naturelle de Paris and Sketch for the ceiling of the amphitheater of paleontology of the Museum d'histoire naturelle de Paris: The Human Races (Ceiling). The ranking above gives the year and the museum of each.
Our catalogue lists 43 works by Fernand Cormon, dated from 1874 to 1919.
Most of them are in Petit Palais (Paris), Musée d'Orsay (Paris) and Musée des Beaux-Arts (Carcassonne). The table above lists the museums one by one.
In 1890s: 12 of the 43 works on this page date from then, among them Sketch for the Hôtel de Ville de Paris: History of Writing, Modern Times.
The earliest on this page is Murder in the Serail (1874), the latest Sketch for the Mairie de Bois-Colombes: The Five Continents (1919).
Portrait of Carrier-Belleuse, Sketch for the Ceiling of the Wedding Hall of the Mairie of the 4ème: The Marriage and Sketch for the Hôtel de Ville de Paris: History of Writing, Modern Times are among the 18 works on this page held by the Petit Palais, Paris.
Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in the size you choose, from the painting's own page.
Fernand Cormon (1845-1924) wasn’t merely a painter; he was a chronicler of humanity's journey through time, a master of dramatic storytelling rendered in rich color and evocative detail. Born into an artistic milieu – his father, Eugène Cormon, was a celebrated playwright, and his mother, Charlotte Furais, a renowned actress – Fernand inherited a deep appreciation for performance and narrative. This theatrical sensibility profoundly shaped his approach to art, imbuing his historical scenes with a palpable sense of drama and immediacy. His early training at the studios of Alexandre Cabanel, Eugène Fromentin, and Jean-François Portaels provided him with a solid foundation in academic technique, but it was Cormon’s own distinctive vision that ultimately defined his legacy.
Cormon's artistic trajectory began with a fascination for the sensational. Early works like “Murder in the Seraglio” (1868) and “The Death of Ravana” (1875), depicting scenes of violence and bloodshed, garnered attention – some critical acclaim, but also controversy for their graphic realism. These pieces established his reputation as an artist unafraid to confront difficult subjects, a characteristic that would continue to inform his work throughout his career. However, Cormon’s artistic interests soon broadened beyond mere spectacle. He demonstrated a keen interest in mythology and the grand narratives of history, seeking to capture not just events but also the emotions and human dramas inherent within them.
Cormon's rise to prominence was inextricably linked to the prestigious Paris Salon, the dominant art exhibition of its time. He consistently exhibited at the Salon from 1863 onwards, gaining recognition for his powerful compositions and masterful brushwork. The Salon’s emphasis on historical painting provided Cormon with a vital platform to showcase his abilities and establish himself as one of France's leading historical artists. His early successes – medals in 1870 and 1873 – solidified his position within the artistic establishment.
A pivotal moment in Cormon’s career arrived with the commission for “Cain Fleeing Before Jehovah’s Curse” (1880), a monumental work that cemented his reputation for dramatic intensity. This painting, depicting the biblical story of Cain and Abel, demonstrated Cormon's ability to convey profound emotion through gesture, color, and composition. The sheer scale and emotional power of “Cain” established him as a major force in French art. He continued to explore themes of mythology and history, producing iconic works such as "A Forge" (1894) and "Anticipation," each imbued with his characteristic dramatic flair.
While Cormon remained a committed participant in the Salon system, he also expanded his artistic practice beyond traditional historical painting. He became increasingly sought after as a portraitist, capturing the likenesses of prominent figures from Parisian society. His portraits were notable for their psychological depth and ability to reveal the inner lives of his subjects. He was particularly known for his evocative depictions of women.
A significant commission during this period came from the Musée de l'Homme (now part of the Natural History Museum), where he created a series of panels illustrating key stages of human development – birth, death, marriage, war, and peace. These grisaille murals, executed with remarkable skill and detail, offered a visual narrative of humanity’s journey through time and demonstrated Cormon’s versatility as an artist. His work on the museum's prehistoric collections, particularly his depictions of Stone Age life, showcased his commitment to exploring themes of human origins and evolution.
Fernand Cormon’s career spanned several decades, witnessing significant shifts in the art world. Despite experiencing a period of relative obscurity after World War I, he remained a respected figure within the artistic community. His influence can be seen in the work of numerous artists who studied at his atelier, including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Louis Anquetin, and Vincent van Gogh (who visited Cormon’s studio in 1888). Cormon's emphasis on dramatic storytelling, expressive brushwork, and a deep engagement with historical and mythological themes left an enduring mark on French painting.
His untimely death in 1924 – struck down by a taxi outside his studio – cut short a remarkable career. Today, Cormon’s paintings are housed in major museums across France and beyond, testament to the lasting power of his artistic vision. He remains a compelling figure in French art history, celebrated for his ability to capture the drama, emotion, and enduring spirit of humanity.