François Martin-Kavel (1846 - 1909)was a French genre painter. Best known for his idealized portraits of women, his work often depicts them in exoticized costumes or in titillating states of undress. Martin-Kavel notably often painted his figures in centered compositions surrounded by dark fabric backgrounds, theatrically lit as though by spotlight. In addition to his popular portraits, he was also known for his still lifes and landscapes. (artnet.com)