Léo Gausson began his career as an engraver under the tutelage of Theophile Chauvel and worked in the print shop of Eugene Froment. When the print shop closed in 1883, Gausson formed a trio and shared a studio space with two of his fellow workers; Cavallo-Peduzzi and Max Luce. Though he lived a long life, his career as a painter only lasted from 1886 to 1900. During this time, he painted in neo-Impressionist and symbolist styles. Towards the end of the 19th century, Gausson generally worked in lithography and illustration, and like fellow artist Toulouse-Lautrec, became known for his prints and posters. In 1901, he traveled to Africa to work in the French Colonies as an administrator. In 1908, he left Africa and returned to Paris where he continued to work for the French government. Due to his relatively short-lived artistic career, Léo Gausson remains lesser known than his contemporaries. However, he is considered to be one of the greatest poster artists of 19th-century Paris.