In 1660, he co-founded the Gobelins factory which became the leading maker of tapestries. He also set what became ‘Louis XIV Style’ in furniture.
Category Archive: Life
His talent was spotted early, and he was taken to Rome to study under Poussin in his workshop. He returned to Paris and became the king’s ‘greatest French artist of all time’.
Although known for his paintings of nudes, many of his subjects were fully-clothed, and most were powerful women who overcame adversity.
With the exception of his early history paintings and a few portraits of men, his entire career was devoted to painting beautiful women.
A sibyl, or an allegory of painting? Maybe the ‘maid of Corinth’ who legends says ‘invented’ painting. And are they spinners, or the story of Arachne?
Gretchen poisoned her mother and drowned her baby; she is now in jail awaiting execution. Faust wants to rescue her, but Mephistopheles isn’t bothered.
Religious works, including two Nativities and a fine painting of Joseph and Mary walking to Bethlehem, Naturalist and Impressionist styles too.
Examples of the work of Thomas Jones, Constable, Corot, Blechen, Boudin, Jongkind, Pissarro, Cézanne, Sargent, Monet, and more.
Nine of his brilliant oil sketches made in front of the motif in the Roman Campagna between 1782-85, which helped change the history of art.
Almost a century after its publication, Pissarro still recommended Valenciennes’ textbook on landscape painting. Here’s why.
The Eclectic Light Company 