176 - 17th-century French school, entourage of BON BOULLOGNE (1649-1717)

17th-century French school, entourage of BON BOULLOGNE (1649-1717) Preaching of Saint John the Baptist Oil on canvas. H_110 cm W_160 cm Faded. Our Preaching of St. John the Baptist clearly shows an Italian influence. With its theatricality, saturated colors and idealized landscape, it is reminiscent of the work of Nicolas Poussin and the Bolognese school Carracci school. In France, this style was reinterpreted by painters such as such as Charles Le Brun and Bon Boullogne in often spectacular compositions. spectacular compositions. One of a dynasty of painters, Bon Boullogne distinguished himself in the biblical and mythological subjects, and pursued a highly successful successful career. Trained in the studio of his father, Louis I Boullogne probably worked alongside him on the decor for the Grande Galerie at the Louvre. In 1669, he was awarded the Premier Prix de Rome for a "Saint Jean demi- figure" inspired by Nicolas Poussin and Sébastien Bourdon. He then he set off for Italy at the age of 20. He began by copying Raphael's frescoes in the Eternal City, then studied the work of the work of Correggio and the Carracci. On his return to France, he was admitted to the Académie Royale, becoming a professor the following year. the following year. He completed several prestigious commissions Charles Le Brun, notably for the Château de Versailles and the Grand Trianon. Trianon. Together with his brother, Louis II Boullogne, he took part in the project directed by Charles de La Fosse at the Hôtel des Invalides. At the same time, he exhibited at the Salon, alongside his fellow academicians. A skilled draftsman and colorist, he distinguished himself by his speed of execution of execution, and produced historical and religious subjects as well as portraits. At the head of a prolific studio, he trained numerous students, including including Pierre Dulin, Charles Parrocel, Jean Baptiste Santerre and Louis de Silvestre le Jeune before he became first painter to the King of Poland.