Born in Germany of English parents, he took French nationality in 1895. Studied in Paris, at the Académie Julian. From 1881-91 he exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais; from 1894 with the Societé Nationale, the Rose+Croix Salons and the Libre Esthetique in Brussels. In touch with the Symbolist writers, with Stéphane Mallarmé, Jean Lorraine, Robert de Montparnasse etc. Akin to the Pre-Raphaelites in his dense, highly detailed style combined with strange or exotic subject matter.