Born in Paris on January 21, 1848 and died in 1928.  Biva was a student of Leon Louis Antoini Janzi and Alexandre Nozal at the French Academy.  At that time William Adolphe Bouguereau, Benjamin Constant and Jules Lefebvre were his instructors.  It was this influence that explains the controlled style of Henri Biva.  The Academy had very strict attitudes toward paintings.  It was this rigid attitude that divided the Academic painters and the Impressionists. 

He first exhibited at the l'Exposition de Blanc et Nair in 1886 with paintings "Une rue de Ville d'Avray'11 " La Nuit" and ”Roses de Nice et giroffies".  He also exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais where he won honorable mention in 1892, third class in 1895, second class and honorable mention in 1896.  He won a bronze metal in 1900. Biva was nominated to the Salon des artists Francois in l903, l904 and l905.  He was elected to Chevalier in the Legion of Honor in 1900.  The honor was the one thing that Pierre Auguste Renoir wanted during his life but was never elected to until after his death.

Listed:
E.Benezit, Volume II, pg. 57.
Le Salon 1928 Societe des Artists Frances.
141st Exposition Officielle (the year of his death)
des Beaux Arts. Grand Palais des Champs.
Elysies. Ave Alexandre III, plate 5, pg. 11 and listed under paintings pg. 11, #211 & 212.
Dictionnaire biographigue de artists.