Artists

Luigi Loir, born on December 22, 1845 in Goritz, Austria to French parents began his formal art education in 1863 at the Beaux-Art Academy of Parma.

Upon finishing his studies in 1865, Loir exhibited at the Paris Salon. Loir then enrolled in studies under Jean Amable Amedee Pastelot (1810-1870) to become a mural painter. One of Loir’s first commissions was to paint the murals and ceilings at the Chateaux du Diable in 1866. In 1870, he was commissioned into the military to record the battles of Bouret.

After the Franco-Prussian War, Loir concentrated on painting views of Paris. He was widely acclaimed for his ability to capture Parisian life, ultimately dubbed the official painter of the Boulevards of Paris. During this time his popularity among Parisians exploded providing him with endless private and public patrons including many museums throughout France, the City of Paris and the Empress of Russia to name a few.

In 1879 he was awarded the Bronze medal from the Exposant Fidele des Artistes Francais. Loir was also awarded the Légion d’Honneur in 1898 for his lifetime of dedication to his art. Loir died in Paris in 1916.