French painter and graphic artist.   Initially he painted historical costume pieces but, when he was in his late twenties,  he successfully changed to painting scenes of contemporary life, usually involving fashionable women in which he was able to indulge his love of painting women's costumes.   He was a success in Paris and equally so in London where he was forced to  take refuge following his alleged involvement in the turbulent events of the Paris Commune in 1871.   In 1888 he turned to religion and produced many paintings of religious subjects, in particular his illustrations to the events of the Bible were extremely popular.