The Life and Career of Jules Dauban
Born in Paris, France, Jules Joseph Dauban was a painter and curator who dedicated much of his life to the arts in Angers. After training at the École des beaux-arts d'Angers, he became a student of Auguste-Hyacinthe Debay at the École des beaux-arts de Paris. His professional journey saw him exhibiting at the Salon annually starting in 1847, where he earned a medal in 1864. Beyond his studio work, Dauban held significant roles, including serving as the director of the École des beaux-arts d'Angers and acting as the curator of the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Angers for forty years. His contributions to public life were recognized through several honors, including being named a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1868, an Officier d'académie in 1879, and an Officier de l'Instruction publique in 1884.
Artistic Works and Commissions
Dauban’s repertoire included a variety of subjects, ranging from religious scenes to historical events and portraits. His notable works include:
His skill extended to large-scale decorations, including murals in churches and chapels across Anjou and Brittany. This included the canvases created between 1898 and 1901 for the basilique Notre-Dame-de-Délivrance, depicting the epic of the relic of the Virgin's belt.
