Portrait Of Cardinal Fleury

There is no longer any need to introduce Hyacinthe Rigaud, whose work, wonderfully highlighted during the exhibition dedicated to him at the Musée National des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon from November 17, 2020 to March 14, 2021 ("Hyacinthe Rigaud ou le portrait soleil"), is also the subject of a catalogue raisonné on the internet, thanks to the good care of Mr. Stéphan Perreau. Not to mention the countless articles regularly published by Mrs. Ariane James-Sarrazin, the great specialist of the painter. Born in 1659 in Perpignan, Rigaud began drawing in Montpellier at Ranc then, after a stay in Lyon, settled in Paris in 1681. Advised by Le Brun, he turned to portraiture. Professor at the Academy from 1710, rector from 1733, he was ennobled by Louis XV, whose portrait he had painted in 1730. Nicknamed "the painter of the great", he had an immense clientele of politicians, men of war and letters, ecclesiastics and scholars. He remains, with François de Troy and Nicolas de Largillière, the master of portraiture at the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century. Our model, less known today, was one of the main servants of the French monarchy in the first half of the 18th century. André Hercule de Fleury (1653-1743) was appointed tutor to Louis XV in 1716, who was always very close to him. In conflict with the Duke of Bourbon, Prime Minister since 1723, Fleury obtained the latter's dismissal in 1726 and de facto occupied this position until his death. His prudent policy allowed France to recover, both economically and vis-à-vis other nations. But neither the King nor he could effectively oppose France's participation in the War of the Austrian Succession. The close ties between the painter and his model are first of all geographical: born in Lodève, Cardinal de Fleury wanted to be "protector of the Southerners who made the journey to Versailles". Rigaud painted him twice, in 1706 and 1728 and Fleury was one of his most constant supporters. There are many versions of Rigaud's portrait of Cardinal de Fleury, full-length or bust-length. These have been scrupulously listed by Mr. Stéphan Perreau. Ours, sold by Maison Tajan in 2019 as being from Rigaud's workshop, and recently restored by Atelier Almaflo Art, is of very fine quality. The face, which the neutral background brings out, is imbued with intelligence, wisdom, and good nature. Details: - Oil on canvas. - Sold without frame. - Fully restored.