Paul Dubois (1829-1905) studied law before entering the workshop of Toussaint, then the School of Fine Arts. After travelling in Italy, he participated to the Salon of 1863 and won the third medal for the sculpture category. He won several other medals : the Medal of Honor with his Florentine Singer (1865), and two First Class Medals in 1876 and 1878. In 1876, he became a Membre de l’Institut, really began working as a painter, and was especially appreciated as a portraitist. He later became Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 1867,Officier in 1874, Commandeur in 1886 and Grand-Croix in 1896. He also successfully directed the Luxembourg Museum and the National School of Fine Arts.