Born in Montpellier, Cabanel studied under Francois-Edouard Picot and was accepted into the Salon in 1844. He was awarded the Prix de Rome scholarship in 1850, and was elected as a member of the giuria 17 times between 1868 and 1888.

The French painter Alexandre Cabanel is renowned for his paintings on historical, classical, and religious subjects. He also produced works in an academic style. His most famous work is the portrait of Napoleon III. Among all of the famous French painters, he is the best representative of L'art pompier.