Clément-Théodule-Germain Ribot, known simply as Germain Ribot, remains an enigma to most researchers. He came from a family of artists and was the son of a very private and independent painter, Augustin-Théodule Ribot, which consequently left few clues as to the details of his life. What is known about this artist, while scant, shows that Germain emerged from beneath his father’s shadow to gain entrance into the art world of Paris, taking part in several Salon exhibitions from 1870-1883. His still life arrangements became part of an important still life movement in France that had been increasing in popularity and importance since the time of Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin in the eighteenth century.
