Figurative art — Commandant Paul-Louis Weiller, Capitaine d'industrie, protecteur des arts
Jean-Baptiste Mallet was a French painter in the Troubadour style.
His style shows the strong influence of Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Jean-Honoré Fragonard (also from Grasse) and Louis Léopold Boilly. He is also known to have studied 17th-century Dutch painting.
Most of his works were gouaches and watercolors, done in relatively small formats, and consist largely of genre scenes depicting life under the Directorate and the First Empire.
His paintings were very popular and are an indispensable source of information about interior decorations and furnishings of the period. Most of his works were also available as prints.
Outside of France, his works may be seen at the National Gallery of Art and LACMA.
Jean-Honoré Fragonard, a prominent French Rococo painter, left an indelible mark on the art world with his vivacious and hedonistic approach to painting. Born in Grasse, France, in 1732, Fragonard's journey into the art world was marked by his early apprenticeship under François Boucher, whose influence is evident in the young artist's work. Fragonard's talent and skill were recognized early on when he won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1752, which allowed him to study at the French Academy in Rome.
Jean-Honoré Fragonard's work is characterized by a remarkable facility, exuberance, and a penchant for themes of love and voluptuousness that resonated with the opulent and pleasure-seeking milieu of Louis XV's court. His paintings, such as "The Swing" (Wallace Collection), "Blind Man's Bluff," and "The Bolt," are celebrated for their tender beauty, vibrant color, and the virtuosity of his brushwork. These works encapsulate the essence of Rococo art with their playful themes, intricate compositions, and luminous palette.
Despite the initial success and the king's patronage, which saw his piece "Coresus et Callirhoe" being bought and reproduced at the Gobelins factory, Jean-Honoré Fragonard's career took a turn as the French Revolution upended the social order and the artist's private patrons were guillotined or exiled. This period forced Fragonard to leave Paris, seeking refuge in Grasse. He returned to the capital in the early 19th century, where he died in 1806, almost forgotten. It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that Fragonard's work was re-evaluated, cementing his position among the masters of French painting. His influence on the Impressionists, particularly Renoir and his grandniece Berthe Morisot, is undeniable, showcasing his lasting impact on the trajectory of art history.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Jean-Honoré Fragonard's oeuvre represents the pinnacle of Rococo art, offering a glimpse into the opulent and sensuous world of 18th-century France. His paintings are not just artistic achievements but are also historical documents that reflect the cultural and social dynamics of his time.
To stay updated on new discoveries, sales, and auction events related to Jean-Honoré Fragonard's works, signing up for updates is recommended. This ensures that enthusiasts and collectors are promptly informed about opportunities to enrich their collections with the exquisite beauty of Fragonard's art.
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Hubert Robert was a renowned French artist, celebrated for his captivating landscape paintings and architectural fantasies. Born in Paris in 1733, Robert's talent was nurtured early on, thanks to the patronage of the Choiseul family. His journey to Rome in 1754 marked a pivotal phase in his career, where he immersed himself in studying ancient and modern Italian architecture, significantly influencing his artistic style.
Hubert Robert's work is characterized by its romantic depiction of ruins, blending fantasy with historical accuracy, which earned him the nickname "Robert des Ruines." His landscapes and capricci, which are imaginative compositions of architectural elements, resonated with the art collectors and the aristocracy of his time, securing his place as a key figure in French art history.
Noteworthy are Hubert Robert's contributions to the design of picturesque gardens, where he provided atmospheric visions rather than practical layouts. His involvement in the creation of gardens at places like Ermenonville and Méréville showcases his ability to merge art with nature, creating spaces that were both innovative and inspirational.
His artworks, such as "The Port of Rome" and "The Old Bridge," are treasured in prestigious galleries worldwide, reflecting his enduring legacy in the realm of art and culture. For art collectors and experts, Hubert Robert's oeuvre offers a window into the 18th-century artistic landscape, where imagination and historical elements coalesce to form compelling visual narratives.
For updates on exhibitions and auction events related to Hubert Robert's works, sign up to stay informed about new discoveries and opportunities to appreciate the artistry of this exceptional French painter.
Jean-Baptiste Marie Huet was a French painter, engraver and designer associated with pastoral and genre scenes of animals in the Rococo manner, influenced by François Boucher.
Charles-Joseph Natoire was a prominent Rococo painter, known for his significant contributions to French art during his lifetime. Trained under François Lemoyne, Natoire excelled in various artistic endeavors, earning royal commissions and contributing to significant artistic projects in Versailles and Fontainebleau. His works included tapestry cartoons for the Manufacture de Beauvais and Gobelins, and he was known for his series on the History of Psyche and Don Quixote.
In 1751, Charles-Joseph Natoire became the director of the French Academy in Rome, a role he held until 1775. During this period, he mentored notable students like Hubert Robert and Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Although his active painting career dwindled during his directorship, his influence on the students and the artistic community was significant.
Charles-Joseph Natoire's works can be found in various prestigious institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Louvre. His painting "The Rebuke of Adam and Eve" is one such piece that showcases his mastery and attention to detail.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Charles-Joseph Natoire's works offer a glimpse into the Rococo style's elegance and the rich artistic heritage of 18th-century France. His contributions to tapestry and painting continue to be celebrated and studied for their historical and artistic value.
To stay updated on news and events related to Charles-Joseph Natoire and his works, consider subscribing for updates. This subscription will keep you informed about new product sales and auction events featuring Natoire's art, ensuring you don't miss out on opportunities to engage with the legacy of this influential painter.
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, an illustrious Italian painter of the 18th century, is renowned for his radiant and poetic frescoes that beautifully extend the tradition of Baroque ceiling decoration, encapsulating the essence of the Rococo period. Born in Venice, Tiepolo was significantly influenced by his contemporaries and predecessors, such as Piazzetta, Ricci, Tintoretto, and Veronese, which is evident in his dynamic and vibrant works.
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's expertise in creating grand frescoed ceilings for churches, villas, and palaces across Italy, Germany, and Spain is particularly noteworthy. His work at the Würzburg Residenz, where he painted a vast ceiling depicting Apollo and the continents, is considered a high point of his career. This masterpiece demonstrates his skill in creating spatial illusions and integrating multiple perspectives to enhance the viewer's experience.
In addition to his frescoes, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's prowess as a draftsman and printmaker was widely acclaimed. His prints, characterized by imaginative and sometimes enigmatic imagery, enjoyed widespread popularity and may have influenced subsequent artists like Francisco de Goya.
Throughout his career, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo received numerous commissions across Europe, reflecting his international fame. His later works in Spain, where he moved with his sons to serve the Spanish monarchy, showcase a quieter yet profound style, focusing on religious and allegorical themes.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's legacy represents an essential chapter in the history of art, offering insights into the interplay of light, color, and narrative in 18th-century European painting. His works, housed in various museums and collections worldwide, continue to captivate and inspire audiences with their elegance and grandeur.
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Nicolas Lancret was a French painter. Born in Paris, he was a brilliant depicter of light comedy which reflected the tastes and manners of French society during the regency of the Duke of Orleans and, later, early reign of King Louis XV.
Louis Carrogis, better known as Carmontelle was a French artist, garden designer, architect, playwright and inventor.
Carmontelle was of simple origins but versatilely gifted. He wrote several plays and three novels, and created portraits of historical figures. He became famous for his painting of little Mozart at the clavier. In the service of Louis-Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, he was responsible for the theatrical performances for the family as stage designer and stage director.
Carmontelle is the planner and designer of one of the earliest examples of a French landscape garden in Paris, now known as Parc Monceau. In designing the garden, Carmontel rejected many of the fashionable trends in landscape design at the time, drawing inspiration from Japanese pleasure gardens and insisting on incorporating illusion and fantasy.
Carmontelle is also credited as the inventor of animated images. Translucent tape with landscapes depicted on it was slowly rolled from one roll to another against a backdrop of daylight, thus creating the illusion of walking through a garden.
