Brief Biography-Louis Gallait, born in Tournai, was first a disciple of Philippe Auguste Hennequin in the Académie of Tournai and later studied under Mattheus Ignatius van Bree in Antwerp. Bree also tutored Gustave Wappers, whose style greatly influenced Gallait. In Paris, he learned a great deal by studying the master’s works in the Louvre. Gallait finally settled in Brussels, achieving considerable success and gaining several state commissions. He became a distinguished artist and was elected Director of the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts. His principal subject was history painting, but he also excelled in portraiture. Gallait died in Brussels in 1887.