Paul de Longpré

Paul de Longpré (1855–1911) was a French-American painter known for his delicate floral watercolor paintings. He devoted his career exclusively to botanical subjects, earning widespread recognition for his ability to render horticultural accuracy with artistic sensitivity. His works were widely reproduced for botanical magazines, seed catalogs, and national art publications, earning him the title, “King of Flowers.”

Born on April 18, 1855, in Lyon, France, de Longpré was surrounded by the floral motifs that were prevalent in the textiles produced in his hometown. Though he came from a family of artists, Longpré was believed to be self-taught. By the age of 12, he was working for a Parisian firm painting floral designs on fans in Paris. In 1876, at age 21, he exhibited his first oil painting at the Paris Salon.

He later became a student at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, where he studied under Jean Leo Gerome and Leon Bonnat. Despite his education and talent, the artist’s burgeoning career in France was interrupted by financial hardship, prompting his move to New York in 1890.

In the United States, de Longpré found even greater success, excelling as a commercial illustrator and window decorator while also creating plein-air paintings in the New Jersey countryside. He exhibited his first painting, Basket of Purple Lilacs, at the National Academy of Design in 1892, followed by two successful solo exhibitions at the American Art Galleries in 1895 and 1896. His work was widely published, and his reputation as a master watercolor painter grew.

Seeking a climate that would allow him to paint flowers year-round, de Longpré relocated his family to Los Angeles, California in 1899. In 1901, he purchased three acres of land from Daeida and H.H. Wilcox, the founders of Hollywood. He built a Moorish-style mansion on the property, designed by Canadian architect Louis J.B. Bourgeois. The mansion and its extensive gardens, containing approximately 4,000 rose bushes, became one of the earliest tourist attractions in Los Angeles. Thousands of visitors toured the property, drawn by both de Longpré’s artwork and the meticulously landscaped grounds. The estate was so popular that the family had to limit public access, eventually restricting garden tours to the months of January through April. Postcards of the house and gardens became widely distributed, further cementing the artist’s fame.

Throughout his career, de Longpré continued to exhibit his work in major American cities. He also played a notable role in Hollywood’s early social scene, hosting grand events. Thanks to numerous postcards made in the golden age of postcards 1907-1920, Paul De Longpré’s presence and life in Hollywood were widely documented.

In 1910, de Longpré was hospitalized due to a serious middle ear infection that required surgery. His health declined, and by February 1911, he was bedridden. He passed away at his Hollywood home on June 29, 1911 at age 56. Following his death, his widow Josephine inherited the estate, but by 1920, the house had been sold and later demolished, having stood for less than 20 years.

De Longpré’s work remains in esteemed collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Irvine Museum, and the Currier Museum of Art. De Longpré’s paintings continue to be recognized for their technical precision and luminous quality, reflecting his lifelong dedication to floral subjects.

Available Works