When he met the beautiful, eloquent and aristocratic Marie, it was love at first sight. Even then, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. Their shared interest in art and their love of nature bonded them closely… ultimately creating an existence for Charles that he would never have dreamed possible. Follow the couple’s relationship, from their fateful first meeting and Marie’s somewhat unwelcome rise to stardom as a result of their attendance as guests of honour at Napoleon III’s Arts’ Ball along with Manet, Courbet, Renoir, Monet and Degas.