Hubert Drouais
Encyclopedia
Hubert Drouais was a French painter
, portraitist and miniaturist.
Drouais was born in Pont-Audemer
in Normandy
, the son of Anne Talon and the painter Jean Drouais. Hubert followed in his father’s footsteps and received his first lessons from him before leaving for Rouen
to further his skills. He then decided to make it to Paris, although he was so poor that, unable to afford the cost of the trip, he had to work his way on the road to his destination.
He devoted himself particularly to the portrait, and was the best pupil of the portraitist François de Troy
, who is linked through his own master and through Rigaud to the grand tradition of Van Dyck. He soon acquired an ease that made him look like one of the first painters in this genre. As he was making progress, he would visit his homeland, as if to honor it with his first successes. His father’s approval and his countrymen’s encouragements were his sweetest rewards. . He excelled in the genres of portraiture and miniature. Although in different parts that characterize a good painter, one who has done most to admire its color is fresh and bright.
On the death of Troy, Drouais was employed by Jean-Baptiste van Loo
, Jean-Baptiste Oudry
and Jean-Marc Nattier
. He was in fashion at the court of Louis XV as a portraitist, painting not only princes and princesses, but the actresses of Comédie-Française
and opera girls, like the Camargo
, Mlle Gautier, Mlle Pelissier, the Gaussin, as well.
Drouais was received at the Académie de peinture et de sculpture
on November 29, 1730. At his death, rue des Orties, his funeral was celebrated at the Église Saint-Roch
. He had two children with Margaret Lusurier whom he had married on February 22, 1727. His son François-Hubert
, whose first master he was, and his grand-son Jean-Germain were painters like him and in his old age he had the satisfaction to see his son also enter the Académie de peinture. He died at Paris.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, portraitist and miniaturist.
Drouais was born in Pont-Audemer
Pont-Audemer
Pont-Audemer is a commune in the Eure department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Population:-Sights:The commune was spared substantial damage to its historic buildings during the Battle of Normandy. Nowadays the half-timbered buildings and the canals running between them are a...
in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, the son of Anne Talon and the painter Jean Drouais. Hubert followed in his father’s footsteps and received his first lessons from him before leaving for Rouen
Rouen
Rouen , in northern France on the River Seine, is the capital of the Haute-Normandie region and the historic capital city of Normandy. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe , it was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages...
to further his skills. He then decided to make it to Paris, although he was so poor that, unable to afford the cost of the trip, he had to work his way on the road to his destination.
He devoted himself particularly to the portrait, and was the best pupil of the portraitist François de Troy
François de Troy
François de Troy was a French painter and engraver who became principal painter to King James II in exile at Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Director of the Académie Royale de peinture et de sculpture.-Early life:...
, who is linked through his own master and through Rigaud to the grand tradition of Van Dyck. He soon acquired an ease that made him look like one of the first painters in this genre. As he was making progress, he would visit his homeland, as if to honor it with his first successes. His father’s approval and his countrymen’s encouragements were his sweetest rewards. . He excelled in the genres of portraiture and miniature. Although in different parts that characterize a good painter, one who has done most to admire its color is fresh and bright.
On the death of Troy, Drouais was employed by Jean-Baptiste van Loo
Jean-Baptiste van Loo
Jean-Baptiste van Loo was a French subject and portrait painter.-Biography:He was born in Aix-en-Provence, and was instructed in art by his father Louis-Abraham van Loo, son of Jacob van Loo...
, Jean-Baptiste Oudry
Jean-Baptiste Oudry
Jean-Baptiste Oudry was a French Rococo painter, engraver, and tapestry designer. He is particularly well known for his naturalistic pictures of animals and his hunt pieces depicting game.-Biography:...
and Jean-Marc Nattier
Jean-Marc Nattier
Jean-Marc Nattier , French painter, was born in Paris, the second son of Marc Nattier , a portrait painter, and of Marie Courtois , a miniaturist...
. He was in fashion at the court of Louis XV as a portraitist, painting not only princes and princesses, but the actresses of Comédie-Française
Comédie-Française
The Comédie-Française or Théâtre-Français is one of the few state theaters in France. It is the only state theater to have its own troupe of actors. It is located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris....
and opera girls, like the Camargo
Marie Anne de Cupis de Camargo
Marie Anne de Cupis de Camargo sometimes known simply as La Gorda Camargo, was a French/Belgian dancer...
, Mlle Gautier, Mlle Pelissier, the Gaussin, as well.
Drouais was received at the Académie de peinture et de sculpture
Académie de peinture et de sculpture
The Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture , Paris, was founded in 1648, modelled on Italian examples, such as the Accademia di San Luca in Rome. Paris already had the Académie de Saint-Luc, which was a city artist guild like any other Guild of Saint Luke...
on November 29, 1730. At his death, rue des Orties, his funeral was celebrated at the Église Saint-Roch
Église Saint-Roch
The Church of Saint Roch is a late Baroque church in Paris. Located at 284 rue Saint-Honoré, in the 1st arrondissement, it was built between 1653 and 1722.- History :...
. He had two children with Margaret Lusurier whom he had married on February 22, 1727. His son François-Hubert
François-Hubert Drouais
François-Hubert Drouais was a French painter and the father of Jean-Germain Drouais.Drouais was born and died in Paris. He specialized in portraits of the French nobility, foreign aristocrats, writers, and other artists. Some of his portraits include Louis XV's last two mistresses, Madame de...
, whose first master he was, and his grand-son Jean-Germain were painters like him and in his old age he had the satisfaction to see his son also enter the Académie de peinture. He died at Paris.
Works
- Robert le Lorrain (1666-1743)
- Mademoiselle Marie Pelissier
- Joseph ChristopheJoseph ChristopheJoseph Christophe, the brother of Claude Christophe, was born at Verdun in 1662. In 1696 he painted as a "mai" for Notre-Dame the 'Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes.' He was received into the Academy in 1702, and in 1724 became painter to the Archduke Leopold, for whom he executed many portraits...
(1662-1748) - Mademoiselle Gauthier, 1737
- Madame de France, 1741
- Monsieur le Vicomte de Courtenier, 1741
- Madame la Vicomtesse de Courtenier, 1741
- Madame Héry
- Madame Courgy
- Mademoiselle Gossin tenant un livre, 1746
- Mademoiselle Drouais, sa fille, tenant un chat, 1746
- Le Fils de l’auteur, 1746
- Monsieur Jacquemain tenant un crayon, 1746
- Mademoiselle ***, 1746
- Mademoiselle *** tenant des fleurs, 1746
- Demoiselle qui rit, 1746
- La Camargo.