A History of Art for Beginners and Students: Painting, Sculpture, ArchitectureWaters, Clara Erskine Clement
History
A History of Art for Beginners and Students: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture
Waters, Clara Erskine Clement
Art -- History
Before his death his pictures were so much valued that other artists tried
to imitate them, and he was accustomed to keep a book of sketches by which
his works could be proved. He called this book "Liber Veritatis," and
before his death it reached six volumes; one of these containing two
hundred drawings is at Chatsworth. A catalogue of his works describes more
than four hundred landscapes. All the principal galleries of Europe have
his pictures, and there are a great number of them in England, both in
public and private collections.
SEBASTIAN BOURDON (1616-1671), who was born at Montpelier, made his
studies in Rome. He brought himself into notice by a picture of the
Crucifixion of St Peter, which is now in the Louvre. He was one of the
earliest members of the French Academy. Bourdon resided in Sweden for some
years; but was in Paris, and held the position of Rector of the Academy
when he died. He painted a few _genre_ subjects, and two of his portraits
by himself are in the Louvre; but his best works were landscapes, and in
these his style was like that of Salvator Rosa. It has been said that
Rigaud assisted him in his portraits of himself. Bourdon made some
engravings, and collectors prize his plates very much.
There were other French painters who studied in Italy, but those that I
have mentioned are the important ones. Of those who studied in their own
country only, EUSTACHE LE SUEUR (1617-1655) was the first of any
importance; but his life was short and uneventful, and he was not
appreciated. His most important works are in the Louvre.
CHARLES LE BRUN (1619-1690) was very prominent in his day. His father was
a sculptor, and was employed by the Chancellor Segnier. This nobleman's
attention was attracted to the son, and he at length sent the young Le
Brun to Italy to study. He remained there six years, and after his return
to Paris he was made painter to the king, and became the favorite of the
court. He used his opportunities to persuade Louis XIV. to found the Royal
Academy at Paris, which was done in 1648. All his principal pictures are
in the Louvre.
PIERRE MIGNARD (1612-1695) has been called "the Roman," because he lived
in Rome twenty-two years, and while there was patronized by three
successive popes. In 1664 he was made President of the Academy of St. Luke
in Rome. At length Louis XIV. invited him to return to France. In 1690 he
succeeded Le Brun as court painter, and was made Chancellor of the
Academy. His portraits are his best works, and these are seen in the
galleries of various European countries.
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