Jean-Baptiste Faure

Jean-Baptiste Faure (1830-1914) made his début in Paris at the Opéra-Comique in 1852 in Massé’s Galathée. During his career as a baritone he created many roles, and was twice painted by Manet, including once as Hamlet, the part in which he made his farewell performance in 1876. The painting was shown at the Salon of 1877.

Faure was himself a clever patron of Manet. He eventually acquired a total of 68 works by the artist, which he later marketed through Durant-Ruel. Faure belatedly received the Légion d’Honneur in 1881, at the same time as Manet, through the good offices of their mutual friend, Antoine Proust.

Faure was married to fellow Opéra-Comique singer Constance Caroline Lefèbvre.

Photographed by Disdéri of Paris.