The only known photograph of Frédéric Chopin is believed to have been taken in 1849, during the degenerative stages of his tuberculosis, shortly before his death. Chopin, a Polish-French pianist and composer of the Romantic era, is widely regarded as one of the most famous, influential, admired and prolific composers for the piano. Traditional Polish music was an important source of his inspiration and is reflected in his polonaises, mazurkas and other works.