Francois-Richard de Montholon was born in Pantin, near Paris in 1856. He studied under E. Dardoize and from 1877 to 1881 he apprenticed in the workshops of G. Boulanger and J. Lefebvre. Montholon enjoyed a remarkable career of more than 60 years, despite suffering a serious handicap to his arms and legs. The diversity of his skill was considerable, and he practiced oil painting as well as drawing, watercolour, pastel and lithography.