Lemaire made his debut at the
Salon of 1849, the exhibition run by the
Académie des Beaux-Arts. Following his training in drawing and painting, Lemaire worked in a wallpaper factory and produced highly successful floral designs. He designed a wallpaper that was produced by
Zuber & Cie, based in
Rixheim, in 1856. In 1861, he redirected his career toward
landscape painting, leaving his previous occupation behind. Lemaire was introduced to the
Oise Valley through Auguste Boulard, who resided in
Champagne-sur-Oise during the summer. By the 1880s, Pauline Caspers of Paris became one of his distinguished pupils. For many years, his work, particularly landscapes and floral
still lifes, appeared at the Paris Salon. In 1883, he earned an honorary mention at the Salon of French Artists (
Salon des artistes français). His painting
Peony Bed (Massif de pivoines) earned a third-class medal at the 1884 Paris Salon. At the time, he resided in Paris at 1 rue Saint-Claude. He also exhibited work at the
1889 Paris Exposition. He was awarded a second-class medal at the 1899 Salon of French Artists for his painting
Peonies and Creeping Roses (Pivoines et Rosier Grimpant). He continued exhibiting at French salons until 1909. ==Death==