Simon Denis

Simon Denis was a pupil of Hendrik Joseph Antonissen in his native Antwerp. From 1755 he based himself in Paris, though he did make several trips back to Flanders, and in 1784 he moved once more, to Italy, where he remained until his death. Having settled in Naples in 1804, Denis became first painter to Joseph Bonaparte, specialising in views and landscapes, and from 1809 he was Professor at the Accademia di Belle Arti.  

A delightful oil sketch by Denis, showing Mme. Vigée-Lebrun and her daughter drawing the falls at Tivoli was sold, Paris, Christie's, 22 June 2006, lot 56.