Francois-Xavier Fabre (1760 - 1832). François-Xavier Fabre was a French painter of historical subjects. His painting The Death of Narcissus is in the Musée Fabre in Montpellier. It depicts the mythological story of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water and ultimately died of despair. His Resurrection of Lazarus in the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre in Montpellier depicts the biblical story of Lazarus being brought back to life by Jesus Christ. Born in Montpellier, Fabre was a pupil of Jacques-Louis David, and made his name by winning the Prix de Rome in 1793. During the French Revolution, Fabre went to live in Florence, becoming a member of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, where he taught painting. The friends he made in Italy included the dramatist, Vittorio Alfieri, whose widow, Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern, Countess of Albany, he is said to have married. On Louise's death in 1824, he inherited her fortune, which he used to found an art school in his home town. On his own death, he bequeathed his own art collection to the town, forming the basis of the Musée Fabre. Fabre began his training in Montpellier's art academy, where he spent several years prior to joining Jacques-Louis David's studio in Paris. His studies were paid for by the financier and art collector, Philippe-Laurent de Joubert. Philippe-Laurent was the father of Laurent-Nicolas de Joubert. Fabre painted a portrait of Laurent-Nicolas de Joubert, which is now in the Getty Museum. Fabre gained popularity in Florence. The city's Italian aristocrats and tourists were drawn to the elegance, realism, and precision of his portraits. This popularity earned Fabre a place in the Florentine Academy. He became an art teacher, art collector, and art dealer in Florence. Among his pupils in Florence was Emilio Santarelli. Additionally, Fabre served as the director of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze from 1822 until his death in 1837.
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