Michel Hubert Descours
(Bernay 1707–1775) Portraits of Michel Gabriel de Chanu du Beaubenard and his wife, Catherine Fouques Dasnie du Beaubenard, signed and dated 1750 lower left and lower right respectively, the sitters named on the reverse, oil on canvas, each 80 x 64 cm, in their original carved and gilded frames
These portraits which testify to the elegance and self-confidence of the Louis XV period are by the hand of Michel Descours, one of the few French portrait painters who, despite not working in Paris were able to achieve supra-regional importance. For the entirety of his career Descours worked as an independent portrait painter in the small town of Bernay and yet was one of the best French portrait painters of the middle of the 18th century. Praised highly by his teacher, Hyacinthe Rigaud, in whose workshop he was active between 1731 and 1745, Descours received commissions from around Europe (portraits by the artist are to be found in Dresden and Potsdam). In both of the present portraits, Descours combines the traditional Baroque formula for a portrait with an altogether more delicate conception which corresponds with the more light-hearted nature of the Rococo.
Specialist: Dr. Alexander Strasoldo
Dr. Alexander Strasoldo
+43-1-515 60-556
old.masters@dorotheum.com
06.10.2009 - 17:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 18,900.-
- Estimate:
-
EUR 15,000.- to EUR 18,000.-
Michel Hubert Descours
(Bernay 1707–1775) Portraits of Michel Gabriel de Chanu du Beaubenard and his wife, Catherine Fouques Dasnie du Beaubenard, signed and dated 1750 lower left and lower right respectively, the sitters named on the reverse, oil on canvas, each 80 x 64 cm, in their original carved and gilded frames
These portraits which testify to the elegance and self-confidence of the Louis XV period are by the hand of Michel Descours, one of the few French portrait painters who, despite not working in Paris were able to achieve supra-regional importance. For the entirety of his career Descours worked as an independent portrait painter in the small town of Bernay and yet was one of the best French portrait painters of the middle of the 18th century. Praised highly by his teacher, Hyacinthe Rigaud, in whose workshop he was active between 1731 and 1745, Descours received commissions from around Europe (portraits by the artist are to be found in Dresden and Potsdam). In both of the present portraits, Descours combines the traditional Baroque formula for a portrait with an altogether more delicate conception which corresponds with the more light-hearted nature of the Rococo.
Specialist: Dr. Alexander Strasoldo
Dr. Alexander Strasoldo
+43-1-515 60-556
old.masters@dorotheum.com
Buyers hotline
Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
old.masters@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 403 |
Auction: | Old Master Paintings |
Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
Date: | 06.10.2009 - 17:00 |
Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
Exhibition: | 26.09. - 06.10.2009 |
** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT
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