Félix Émile Taunay, Baron Of Taunay

Place: Montmorency

Born: 1795

Death: 1881

Biography:

Early Life and Education

, a renowned French Brazilian painter, was born on March 1, 1795, in a house that once belonged to Jean-Jacques Rousseau in the city of Montmorency. His father, Nicolas-Antoine Taunay, an aristocrat and member of the newly founded Institut de France, was also a painter.

Career Highlights

* In 1816, Félix Émile Taunay and his father left France after Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat, invited by the Marquis of Marialva, Pedro José Joaquim Vito de Meneses Coutinho, to settle in Brazil. * Three years later, Nicolas-Antoine returned to France, leaving Félix his post at Escola Nacional de Belas Artes (then known as Academia Imperial de Belas Artes). * In 1834, Félix Émile Taunay became the academy's headmaster and was appointed as a young Emperor Pedro II’s Greek, drawing, and literature tutor. Their close friendship is well-documented. * He married Gabriela d'Escragnolle, sister of Gastão d'Escragnolle, and lived in the house his father built in Tijuca, near a waterfall, now known as Cascatinha Taunay.

Achievements and Legacy

* Proclaimed Baron of Taunay * Appointed to the Order of the Rose, Order of Merit, and a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1851 * Member of the Brazilian Historic and Geographic Institute * Suffered from blindness, leading to his premature retirement

Final Words

Before passing away on April 10, 1881, Félix Émile Taunay uttered, "Adieu, belle nature du Brésil! Adieu, ma belle cascade!" (Farewell, beautiful nature of Brazil! Farewell, my beautiful waterfall!).

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