frank joseph orden
Pierre-Joseph Redouté was a French artist and botanist of Belgian origin, a royal painter and lithographer.
Redouté traveled extensively from his youth and carefully studied the pictorial art of various masters, but his main interest eventually became botanical illustration. He gained access to the Botanical Gardens in Paris and the botanical library. Over time, the talented Redouté became a very popular and successful painter of flowers and plants, publishing more and more albums.
In the 1790s, Redouté was internationally recognized as one of the most popular floral artists in the world. His depictions of plants are still as fresh as if they had just been painted. His album of watercolor illustrations, The Lilies, is one of the most expensive printed books in history.
Pierre-Joseph Redouté was a French artist and botanist of Belgian origin, a royal painter and lithographer.
Redouté traveled extensively from his youth and carefully studied the pictorial art of various masters, but his main interest eventually became botanical illustration. He gained access to the Botanical Gardens in Paris and the botanical library. Over time, the talented Redouté became a very popular and successful painter of flowers and plants, publishing more and more albums.
In the 1790s, Redouté was internationally recognized as one of the most popular floral artists in the world. His depictions of plants are still as fresh as if they had just been painted. His album of watercolor illustrations, The Lilies, is one of the most expensive printed books in history.
Nikolaus von Jacquin, full name Nikolaus Joseph Freiherr von Jacquin, also Baron Nikolaus von Jacquin, was an Austrian and Dutch scientist, professor of chemistry and botany, and director of the Vienna Botanical Garden.
Jacquin is considered a pioneer of scientific botany in Austria. He wrote fundamental works in botany, was the first to describe many plants, fungi, and animals, introduced experimental methods in chemistry, and successfully campaigned for the introduction of Linnaeus' system of plants in Austria. On behalf of Emperor Franz I, von Jacquin was in charge of the imperial gardens (including Schoenbrunn) and also led a scientific expedition to Central America from 1754 to 1759, from which he returned with an extensive collection of plants.
In 1768, Nikolaus von Jacquin was appointed professor of botany and chemistry at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Vienna and director of the newly founded botanical garden, which he reorganized according to scientific principles. Nikolaus von Jacquin was a member of the Royal Society of London, a foreign honorary member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, and a correspondent of the Paris Academy of Sciences.
Moritz Kellerhoven was a German portrait painter and etcher.
Kellerhoven acquired a good reputation as an art painter, which is why Elector Karl Theodor appointed him court painter in Munich in 1784. In 1808, during the reorganisation of the Munich Academy of Fine Arts, he advanced to become the first professor there.
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.