Paul Adolphe Rajon, draughtsman and etcher, was born in Dijon, France. At the age of thirteen his father died and his impoverished mother entrusted his care to her brother, a photographer, who employed the boy to "touch up" plates. In 1864, Rajon moved to Paris and supported himself by working up and coloring photographs. Induced by Flaming and Gaucherel to try his hand at etching, his meticulous reproductions of famous paintings were immediately popular. From 1866 onwards, his career was one of continuous success, broken only by the seige of Paris. Later in his short life he made numerous trips to England and painted picturesque oils of the Thames. His numerous etchings, for which he is best known today, were chiefly reproductive transcriptions and only a few were from original designs. He is appreciated today primarily for his technique and skills as a draughtsman and etcher.



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