'Masters of French Painting, 1290-1920' presents 138 of the most significant and representative works of art in the Wadsworth Atheneum's internationally recognised collection of French paintings and pastels, ranging from religious subjects, such as Nicolas Poussin's magnificent 'The Crucifixion' (1644-6) and Noel Halle's tender and human 'Holy Family' (1753) to Toulouse- Lautrec's 'Jane Avril Leaving the Moulin Rouge' (1892). As the first public art museum in the US, the Wadsworth Atheneum paved the way for encyclopaedic museums across the country. Founded by Daniel Wadsworth, the Atheneum opened in 1844 with 79 paintings and three sculptures, and today holds more than 50,000 works of art. 'Masters of French Painting, 1290-1920' provides scholars and researchers with an up-to-date resource on French art, and art-lovers with a beautifully illustrated guide to this remarkable collection.