Auguste Toulmouche - La Lettre D'Amour

Auguste Toulmouche (1829-1890) was a French painter who painted in the academic realism style. This trend in art was towards realism but also towards greater idealism, which is contrary to realism. The figures depicted were made more abstract and idealized. His themes were in the Regency revival style of genre painting.

He studied with Charles Gleyre and is known mainly for his portraits of Parisian women; Émile Zola spoke of "Toulmouche's delicious dolls." He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.