Almost all of his paintings resemble dreams or nightmares painted on canvas, quite frivolous. They often depict non-existent creatures, and the human figures are emphatically massive and grotesque.

His paintings were distinguished by masterful coloring and precise lighting effects. The painting "Rolla" was written based on the poem by Alfred de Musset. Rolla is a highly paid courtesan of the highest rank who agreed to spend the night with a man standing at the window.

Kozelsky sympathizes with his characters, but most of his works are quite harsh satire, and their heroes do not evoke any positive feelings. But the paintings cannot be called gloomy either, they are very literary, as if the culmination of some small fairy tale or parable is depicted.

The academics did not appreciate such a radical picture, but the public was delighted: bold, resourceful and topical. The idea was even sharper and more piquant, but then the artist was probably afraid of negative reviews.

At the age of 17, Théodore Chassériau made his debut at the Paris Salon and received a medal for a religious painting. In 1846, Chassériau traveled to Algeria and what he saw there impressed the artist so much that orientalism became the dominant theme in his work.

Everything changed in the 90s. There was plenty of negativity and sordidness at that time, and people wanted something bright and joyful. The titles of the artist's paintings mean no less than what is depicted on them.