Anne Vallayer-Coster (1744 - 1818)

Anne Vallayer-Coster (1744 - 1818) - photo 1

Anne Vallayer-Coster

Anne Vallayer-Coster was a renowned French artist, celebrated for her exceptional still-life paintings that captivated 18th-century art enthusiasts, including the French Queen Marie Antoinette. Born into an artistic family in 1744, Vallayer-Coster's talent was evident early on, leading to her unanimous election into the prestigious Académie Royale at just 26 years old. Her works, characterized by their vibrant color, meticulous detail, and textural precision, often depicted bowls of fruit, game, shells, and flowers, showcasing the opulence of French aristocracy before the Revolution.

Vallayer-Coster's career was notable not only for her artistic achievements but also for her ability to navigate the male-dominated art world of her time. Despite the societal constraints on women artists, she gained the patronage of influential figures like Marie Antoinette and was one of the few women admitted to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. Her work received critical acclaim at the Salon, where she exhibited regularly from 1771 until 1817, and her still-lifes were praised for their sensuality, illusionistic perfection, and the rich, indulgent luxury they portrayed.

One of Vallayer-Coster's most ambitious works, Still Life with Flowers in an Alabaster Vase and Fruit (1783), exemplifies her unparalleled skill in capturing the soft textures of flowers and their harmonious arrangement. This masterpiece was hailed as such at the Salon of 1783 and is considered by Vallayer-Coster herself as her finest painting. Lost for nearly two centuries, it was recently rediscovered in an almost pristine state and is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection, highlighting Vallayer-Coster's significant contributions to European art history.

Throughout her career, Vallayer-Coster produced more than 120 still lifes, always with a distinctive brilliance in color, earning her a place among the elite artists of her time. Despite facing challenges during the French Revolution due to her close association with the monarchy, she continued to exhibit her work and contribute to the art world until her death in 1818.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Anne Vallayer-Coster's legacy is a testament to her skill, resilience, and the impact of her work on the history of art. To stay updated on new product sales and auction events related to Anne Vallayer-Coster, sign up for updates that focus solely on this exceptional artist's contributions to the art world.

Date and place of birt:21 december 1744, Paris, France
Date and place of death:28 february 1818, Paris, France
Nationality:France
Period of activity: XVIII, XIX century
Specialization:Artist, Painter, Portraitist
Genre:Flower still life, Portrait, Still life
Art style:Neoclassicism, Rococo

Creators France

Isaac Fuller (1606 - 1672)
Isaac Fuller
1606 - 1672
Louis Aragon (1897 - 1982)
Louis Aragon
1897 - 1982
Nicolas Schöffer (1912 - 1992)
Nicolas Schöffer
1912 - 1992
Henri Manguin (1874 - 1949)
Henri Manguin
1874 - 1949
Godefroy Engelmann I (1788 - 1839)
Godefroy Engelmann I
1788 - 1839
Jan van Huchtenburg (1647 - 1733)
Jan van Huchtenburg
1647 - 1733
Lev Feliksovich Lagorio (1827 - 1905)
Lev Feliksovich Lagorio
1827 - 1905
Maxime Maufra (1861 - 1918)
Maxime Maufra
1861 - 1918
Charles Angrand (1854 - 1926)
Charles Angrand
1854 - 1926
Amédée de Caranza (1843 - 1914)
Amédée de Caranza
1843 - 1914
Victor Vasarely (1906 - 1997)
Victor Vasarely
1906 - 1997
Francois Bouchot (1800 - 1842)
Francois Bouchot
1800 - 1842
Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686 - 1755)
Jean-Baptiste Oudry
1686 - 1755
Oscar Yakovlevich Rabin (1928 - 2018)
Oscar Yakovlevich Rabin
1928 - 2018
Jean-Antoine-Marie Idrac (1849 - 1884)
Jean-Antoine-Marie Idrac
1849 - 1884
Paul Pierre Lemagny (1905 - 1977)
Paul Pierre Lemagny
1905 - 1977

Creators Neoclassicism

John Wootton (1682 - 1764)
John Wootton
1682 - 1764
Franz de Paula Ferg (1689 - 1740)
Franz de Paula Ferg
1689 - 1740
Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725 - 1805)
Jean-Baptiste Greuze
1725 - 1805
Martin Archer Shee (1769 - 1850)
Martin Archer Shee
1769 - 1850
Jacques-Germain Soufflot (1713 - 1780)
Jacques-Germain Soufflot
1713 - 1780
Charles Parrocel (1688 - 1752)
Charles Parrocel
1688 - 1752
John Hoppner (1758 - 1810)
John Hoppner
1758 - 1810
Gilbert Stuart (1755 - 1828)
Gilbert Stuart
1755 - 1828
Johann Georg Dirr (1723 - 1779)
Johann Georg Dirr
1723 - 1779
Rudolf von Alt (1812 - 1905)
Rudolf von Alt
1812 - 1905
Jacopo Amigoni (1682 - 1752)
Jacopo Amigoni
1682 - 1752
Gaetano Gandolfi (1734 - 1802)
Gaetano Gandolfi
1734 - 1802
Bernardo Bellotto (1721 - 1780)
Bernardo Bellotto
1721 - 1780
Francis Grant (1803 - 1878)
Francis Grant
1803 - 1878
James Pradier (1790 - 1852)
James Pradier
1790 - 1852
Francisco Salzillo (1707 - 1783)
Francisco Salzillo
1707 - 1783
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