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176
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17th-century French school, circle of BON BOULLOGNE (1649–17…
See original version (French)
176
-
17th-century French school, circle of BON BOULLOGNE (1649–17…
See original version (French)
Estimate €4,000 - €6,000
Voluntary lot
Description
17th-century French school, circle of BON BOULLOGNE (1649–1717)
The Preaching of Saint John the Baptist
Oil on canvas.
H 110 cm W 160 cm
Re-stretched.
Our painting of the Preaching of Saint John the Baptist clearly shows an
Italian influence. With its theatricality, saturated colours and idealised landscape,
it is reminiscent of the work of Nicolas Poussin and the Bolognese school
of the Carracci. In France, this style was reinterpreted by painters such
as Charles Le Brun and Bon Boullogne in compositions that were often
spectacular.
Born into a dynasty of painters, Bon Boullogne distinguished himself in the
depiction of biblical and mythological subjects and enjoyed a
highly successful career. Trained in the studio of his father, Louis I Boullogne, he
likely worked alongside him on the decoration of the Grande Galerie at the
Louvre. In 1669, he was awarded the First Prize of Rome for a ‘Half-length Saint John’
inspired by the style of Nicolas Poussin and Sébastien Bourdon. It was
thus that he undertook his journey to Italy at the age of 20. He initially
copied Raphael’s frescoes in the Eternal City, then studied the
work of Correggio and the Carracci.
On his return to France, he was admitted to the Royal Academy, where he became a professor
the following year. He carried out several prestigious commissions under
the auspices of Charles Le Brun, notably for the Palace of Versailles and the Grand
Trianon. Together with his brother, Louis II Boullogne, he took part in the project
led by Charles de La Fosse at the Hôtel des Invalides. At the same time, he exhibited at the
Salon, alongside his fellow Academicians.
Both a skilled draughtsman and a talented colourist, he distinguished himself by his speed
of execution and produced historical and religious subjects as well as
portraits. At the head of a thriving studio, he trained numerous pupils, including
Pierre Dulin, Charles Parrocel, Jean Baptiste Santerre and Louis
de Silvestre the Younger, before the latter became First Painter to the King of Poland.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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