Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 11 works by Pierre Auguste Cot in our catalogue
In short
If you know one Pierre Auguste Cot painting, it's probably Springtime (1873), which hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Springtime and Dionysia (1870) round out the three pieces people recognise right away. Our catalogue has 11 works by Pierre Auguste Cot. Below are the 11 people know best, each with its year, where to find it and what makes it special.
The Artist: Pierre Auguste Cot Pierre Auguste Cot (1837-1883) was a French artist known for his romantic and sentimental paintings. Born in Bédarieux, France, Cot studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under the guidance of renowned artists such as William Bouguereau and Alexandre Cabanel. The Painting: Springtime (1873) Springtime, painted by Cot in 1873, is a masterpiece of romanticism that depicts a young couple locked in an embrace…
Springtime is an oil on canvas created by Pierre Auguste Cot in 1873. The work captures a man and a woman suspended in a moment of quiet intimacy. They sit upon a swing, held by ropes amidst the dense greenery of an enchanted forest. Sunlight filters through the canopy, touching the leaves and the birds that inhabit the trees. It is a scene of rebirth and the soft weight of…
Portrait de Madame Gervais by Pierre Auguste Cot, created about 1863, presents a single female figure in a three-quarter length portrait. The subject is seated and positioned slightly off-center within the frame. She maintains a composed posture and a direct gaze toward the viewer. The composition relies on a palette dominated by deep, somber tones that establish a quiet atmosphere.
The four subjects that come up most often in these pieces, each with its best-known example.
The 3 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Pierre Auguste Cot | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 2 | Springtime (1873), The storm |
 Musée Fabre |
Montpellier | 2 | Mireille, Portrait de Madame Gervais |
 Chimei Museum |
Tainan | 1 | Dionysia |
Pick a decade to see its standout piece.
Portrait de Madame Gervais by Pierre Auguste Cot, created about 1863, presents a single female figure in a three-quarter length portrait. The subject is seated and positioned slightly off-center within the frame. She maintains a composed posture and a direct gaze toward the viewer. The composition relies on a palette dominated by deep, somber tones that establish a quiet atmosphere.
Top of the list is Springtime (1873), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Right behind it: Springtime and Dionysia (1870).
Springtime (1873), Springtime, Dionysia, Mireille, Portrait de Madame Gervais, Little lord fauntelroy, Ophelia, Pisan Girl with Basket of Oranges and Lemons, La bohemienne and The storm (1880). You'll find the year and the museum of each in the list above.
We have 11 works by Pierre Auguste Cot in our catalogue, dated 1863 to 1882.
You'll find most of them in Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Musée Fabre (Montpellier) and Chimei Museum (Tainan). The museum list above has the full breakdown.
The earliest piece here is Portrait de Madame Gervais (1863); the most recent is Mireille (1882).
Oil On Canvas, used in 3 of the 11 pieces on this page.
You can see 2 of the pieces on this page at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, including Springtime (1873) and The storm.
Yes. Every painting on this page is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print, in the size that suits you. Just open the painting's page to order.
Pierre Auguste Cot (1837-1883) was a French painter celebrated for his contributions to the Academic Classicism school. His works are characterized by romantic, idealized depictions of figures and scenes, often drawing inspiration from mythology and literary themes.
Born in Bédarieux, Hérault, France, Cot’s artistic journey began with studies at l'École des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse. He later pursued further training in Paris, where he apprenticed under several prominent artists of the time.
Cot’s style reflects a strong adherence to academic principles, emphasizing precise draftsmanship, realistic representation, and idealized beauty. Bouguereau, in particular, exerted a considerable influence on Cot's technique and subject matter.
Cot achieved recognition for his debut at the Salon of 1863, but his popularity truly blossomed in the 1870s. Several works cemented his reputation as a skilled and sought-after artist.
Cot benefited from the patronage of influential figures like Francisque Duret, an academic sculptor whom he later married through his daughter Gabrielle. Bouguereau also supported Cot’s career, even painting a portrait of Gabrielle.
Despite his relatively short life – he died in Paris at the age of 46 and is buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery – Pierre Auguste Cot left behind a body of work that continues to captivate audiences today.
Cot’s work serves as a testament to the enduring power of traditional techniques and romantic themes in art history.
