The directory «Artists»

Rigaud Hyacinthe
(1659—1743)

Hyacinthe Rigaud first studied in Montpellier and Lyon. He moved to Paris in 1681 and won the Prix de Rome a year later. However, heeding the advice of Charles Le Brun, he chose not to travel to Italy to study and instead remained in France. His breakthrough in the French court came after his elegant 1688 portrait of King Louis XIV’s brother. His reputation expanded as he painted the portraits of Versailles dignitaries, visiting royalty, artists, notable clergy members, and military leaders. Rigaud developed a friendly rivalry with Nicolas de Largilliere, although the two had different clientele. Rigaud’s portraits of aristocrats utilized the formality of Philippe de Champaigne, Anthony van Dyck’s composition. His independent works were reminiscent of Rembrandt van Rijn’s work in their focus on realism and character. Rigaud was elected to the Academie Royale in 1700 as a history painter and later worked there as a professor.

Albania, 1995, La Fontain and Animals

France, 1938, Jean de La Fontaine

France, 1954, Jacques Bosseut

France, 1960, Nicolas Boileau

Monaco, 1972, La Fontaine and Animal Fables