Collection: Henri Motte

Henri-Paul Motte (1846–1922) was a French painter born in Paris. He specialized in historical subjects, having studied under Jean-Léon Gérôme. Motte first exhibited his paintings at the Paris Salon of 1874, marking the beginning of his career as a history painter.

Motte's compositions frequently depicted themes from antiquity or modern French history. His painting Le cheval de Troie (The Trojan horse) was acquired by the Wadsworth Atheneum. Another notable work is his 1881 rendition of the Siege of La Rochelle, which portrays Cardinal Richelieu in battle.

In 1892, Motte was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur. He received a bronze medal at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris. His historical works were later utilized as illustrations in history textbooks.