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Charles Le Brun

1619-1690 France/Baroque

 

Brief Biography-Charles Le Brun, the historical painter, was born in Paris. His parents first noticed his talents when he was aged eleven, and the atelier of Simon Vouet admitted him. He came to the attention of Nicolas Poussin, whom he eventually accompanied to Rome for four years. Poussin influenced him; however, the style of Vouet ran through colours in most of his paintings. In Rome, the works of Annibale Carracci had an impression on him. He was also a portraitist and a dedicated draughtsman.
When he returned to Paris, he received numerous commissions and became the director of the Gobelins Manufactory. He was head of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and was active in founding The French Academy in Rome. He was notably known for his works in the Palace of Versailles; for example, the Family of Darius before Alexander was one of many. King Louis XIV made him the principal painter and bestowed him the Order of Saint Michael. The King frequently honoured Le Brun with his presence at work on the Battles of Alexander, per The Rev Pilkington. His rival Pierre Mignard succeeded in his position after his death in 1690.

 

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adoration of the
shepherds

adoration of the shepherds


alexander
and porus

alexander and porus

ceilling of the
hall of mirrors

ceilling of the hall of mirrors

chancellor seguier at
the entry of louis

chancellor seguier at the entry of louis fourteen into paris

daedalus and
icarus

daedalus and icarus

descent from
the cross

descent from the cross

entry of alexander
into babylon

entry of alexander into babylon

holy family with the
adoration of child

holy family with the adoration of the child

louis xIV equestrian
portrait

louis fourteen equestrian portrait


louis xIV

louis fourteen

louis xIV visiting the
gobelins factory

louis fourteen visiting the gobelins factory

martyrdom of st john
the evangelist

martyrdom of saint john the evangelist at porta latina

portrait
of turenne

portrait of turenne

raising of
the cross

raising of the cross

sacrifice of
polyxena

sacrifice of polyxena

the conquest
of franche comte

the conquest of franche-comte

the family of darius
before alexander

the family of darius before alexander

the repentant
magdalen

the repentant magdalen

the resolution of
louis xIV

the resolution of louis Fourteen to make war on the dutch republic

the sculptor
nicolas le brun

the sculptor nicolas le brun

the triumph
of faith

the triumph of faith

fall of the rebel
angels

fall of the rebel angels

venus clipping
cupid's wings

venus clipping cupid's wings


autumn

autumn

apotheose of
louis xIV

apotheose of louis fourteen