Bernard Palissy, the potter, taken by his townspeople for a coiner

The subject of artists' lives was very popular with 19th Century historical genre painters. Bernard Palissy was born about 1510 at La Chapelle Biron, a small village in Prigord. The style of pottery with which his name has become associated and which is shown in the present picture, features reptiles, fish, shells and butterflies in high relief. Arrested on account of his Prostestant faith, he died in prison in 1590 aged eighty.