Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat: Life and Legacy Early Life and Artistic Beginnings Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat was born in Bayonne, France, in 1833 and passed away in 1922. His early life took an interesting turn when his family moved to Madrid in 1846, where his father established a bookshop. This relocation proved pivotal for the young Bonnat’s artistic development. While assisting in the shop, he diligently copied engravings of works by Old Masters, fostering a deep passion for drawing and laying the foundation for his future career. He received formal training under Madrazo in Madrid befo…