Born in France, Charles Bargue was active during the mid-19th century. He is primarily recognized for his collaboration with Jean-Léon Gérôme on the Cours de dessin, a comprehensive series of lithographic plates designed to teach students the fundamentals of drawing through the systematic copying of classical models.

His work focused on the rigorous study of form, light, and shadow, utilizing lithography to disseminate precise instructional materials. These plates were widely adopted by art academies and individual artists to develop technical proficiency in draftsmanship.

Bargue's pedagogical legacy continues to be studied in contemporary art scholarship. Recent institutional programming, such as the Getty's Becoming Artsy series, highlights the enduring relevance of his drawing course in modern museum-based research and artistic practice.