Alexandre Cabanel is the best representative of the L'art pompier and Napoleon III's preferred painter. His work displays originality and sincerity fixed with a deep sense of respect for the great art of the past. His drawing is excellent, expressive and informed by personal selection, knowledge and a quest for both natural and ideal beauty. His design is sophisticated and his color is pleasant, natural, and ornamental, as needed. His method varies from smooth naturalistic to virtuoso paint handling. He was an artist of truth, a positive and competent master of his art. He was elected regularly to the Salon jury and his pupils could be counted by the hundred at the Salons. Through them, Cabanel did more than any other of his generation to form the character of belle époque French painting.