Louis-Émile Adan (1839–1937) was a prolific French painter and illustrator whose career spanned over seven decades of evolving artistic styles. Born in Paris, he received elite training at the École des Beaux-Arts under François-Édouard Picot and Alexandre Cabanel. Adan first gained recognition in the Neo-Classical tradition of Ingres before shifting toward Naturalism and Realism in the 1870s and 80s. Known for his "anecdotal" landscapes and intimate genre scenes, his work frequently appeared at the Paris Salon, earning him a gold medal in 1889 and the Legion of Honor in 1892. Famous works like "The Ferryman's Daughter" and "Autumn Evening" illustrate his mastery of soft light and the quiet beauty of rural and domestic labor. Translating an Adan painting into a counted cross stitch design allows you to capture the delicate textures of late 19th-century fashion and the serene, atmospheric depth of the French countryside. Stitching his art is a meditative journey into the "Belle Époque," where every thread helps preserve a private moment of historical grace and tranquility.