Instead, d'Arnault's brilliance is manifested as a lack of rigorous aesthetic control and an infectious vibrancy. Unlike Antonia and Lena, d'Arnault has a more ambivalent stance on control over his art and his audience's objectification of him. He often uses his fame to try and influence people through persuasion rather than instruction, which can make for uncomfortable viewing. D'Arnault was a prolific artist who painted in a variety of styles throughout his career. He began as a member of the Naturalist school of painting, but later developed his own personal style which combined elements from both academic and naturalist schools. Blind D'Arnault was one of France's first celebrity artists and he enjoyed enormous success during his lifetime. By portraying nudes with great passion and sensitivity, he aimed to appeal to women's senses as well as their intellects. His work made him very influential within French artistic circles and helped spread awareness about gender equality within them. After his death in 1856, many artists came forward to claim some of his works. In an attempt to be recognized by critics and fellow artists, some of these claimants altered or added to existing paintings without acknowledging d'Arnault. This issue continues to dog his reputation today because it's difficult to know what really constitutes his work.