Joseph Layraud

Joseph Fortuné Séraphin Layraud (15 October 1834 – 12 October 1912) was a French painter. There is no complete clearance as to the birth' and the death' dates. Some sources refer to 1833–1913. His range included historical scenes and figures, religious and mythological subjects, landscapes, and portraits of contemporaries.

Life and career

Layraud was born at La Roche-sur-le-Buis in south-eastern France. After beginning his training in Marseille in 1853 he moved to Paris in 1856, studying at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts under Léon Cogniet and Tony Robert-Fleury. He was awarded the Grand Prix de Rome in 1863.

After his time in Rome, Layraud travelled in Italy and Portugal, painting landscapes, he did some history paintings and many portraits.

Layraud exhibited at the Paris Salon, winning medals in 1872; his work was shown at the 1889 and 1900 Expositions Universelles.

Internationally, Layraud's work is displayed in Melbourne (Italian Highwaymen), the Ajuda National Palace,