Jean Desprez French painter, stage designer and architect. After studies at Jacques-Fran?ois Blondel's private school, Desprez continued his architectural training at the Acad?mie Royale d'Architecture, Paris, in the 1760s and, after several attempts, won the Prix de Rome in 1776. Soon after his arrival in Rome (1777) he was asked by the Abb? de Saint-Non to prepare illustrations for his famous Voyage pittoresque, ou description des royaumes de Naples et de Sicile . With the permission of the Acad?mie, he joined Saint-Non's team, and during their pioneering tour of southern Italy Desprez produced innumerable topographical drawings and watercolours that are remarkable for their vitality and accuracy.