François called Watteau de Lille Watteau

As a youngster, François Watteau was taught by his father Louis Watteau. He later entered the Parisian workshop of the painter Louis-Jacques Durameau in 1775 before being accepted at the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture where his ill-tempered behavior caused him some trouble. François Watteau then returned to Lille in 1786 where he completed his career. He was first inspired by the fêtes galantes depicted by his famous relative Antoine Watteau before taking on the rendition of some major historic themes thanks to his revolutionary affinities.