Louis Le Breton

1818-1866

French

French painter, draughtsman and lithographer. Le Breton was born in Douarnenez, Brittany. He continued a family tradition by studying medicine although he combined this with a commitment to the sea by taking his initial training at the Naval Medical School, Brest (1836-37). During his brief medic and surgeon career on board French navy ships his considerable abilities as an artist came to the appreciative attention of his commanders. Le Breton resigned from his medical functions in 1848 and transferred to the Department of Maps and Charts in Paris where he remained until his death on 30 August 1866.