Louis Léopold Boilly: A Life in Portraiture and Parisian Society Born: July 5, 1761, La Bassée, France Died: January 4, 1845, Paris, France Early Life and Artistic Development Boilly's artistic journey began early; he produced works as young as twelve. Largely self-taught, his initial training included trompe-l’oeil painting under Dominique Doncre. His talent was recognized by the Augustinians of Douai in 1774, leading to an invitation from the Bishop of Arras. This period saw him create over three hundred small portrait paintings. Early works often featured amorous and…