Wilhelm Émile Charles Adolphe de Specht was a student of Léon Cogniet and Félix-Joseph Barrias at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris where he entered in 1861. He exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français from 1865 to 1897, mainly presenting works views of Paris, genre scenes and portraits. He also exhibited a work at the Salon des Refusés in 1873 and at the Salon des Indépendants in 1888. He is known for a portrait of Degas, one of Doctor Gachet but also of Manet and Duranty.