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John Francis Rigaud

January 01, 1970

John Francis Rigaud RA (18 May 1742 – 6 December 1810) was an eighteenth-century history, portrait, and decorative painter. Of French descent, he was born in Turin and spent most of his career in England.

John Francis Rigaud by George Dance (1793)

Early life edit

Rigaud was born in Turin on 18 May 1742 and baptised on 9 September. He was the second son of James Dutilh or Rigaud and Jeanne Françoise Guiraudet. His father came from a family of Protestant merchants; his grandfather Jacques Dutilh had fled from Lyon to Geneva with his family after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Jacques died on the journey, and his widow assumed her maiden name—Rigaud—by which the family became known.[1] John had a brother Jacques Etienne Rigaud born 16 Jan 1741 and died 7 Mar 1767 at Turin.[2]

Having demonstrated an artistic ability, Rigaud studied with Claudio Francesco Beaumont of Turin, historical painter to the king of Sardinia. He left Beaumont to travel Italy and study painting in Florence and in Bologna, where he was made a member of the Accademia Clementina in 1766. He then travelled to Rome, but had to return home due to family considerations. In January 1768, he set off once again, this time to Piacenza, Parma, Bologna, and then, once again, to Rome. He settled there and studied the city's art, particularly the old masters, and participated in life-drawing schools. There he produced what the Dictionary of National Biography describes as "one of his most important works": Hercules Resting from his Labours.[1] While in Rome, Rigaud became friends with the Swedish sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel and the Irish painter James Barry.[1]

London edit

In April 1770, he and Barry travelled together to Florence, Bologna, and Turin. Rigaud then spent a short time in Paris before leaving for London in December 1771. He exhibited his Hercules at the Royal Academy in 1772 and was elected an associate of the Academy in the same year.[1] Also in 1772 he lodged at Mr. Luther's, 20 Frith Street (now no. 25), Soho.[3]

While Rigaud consistently exhibited paintings at the Royal Academy – showing a total of 155 works there between 1772 and 1815[4] – "his most lucrative and engrossing employment was decorative painting for the town and country houses of the nobility, including Lord Gower, Lord Sefton, and the Earl of Aylesford".[1] Some of his exhibits at the Academy were studies for ceiling paintings, and in 1797 he showed three works described as "specimen[s] of fresco painting on Portland stone.[5] The architect William Chambers offered him work in London at Melbourne House in Piccadilly (1772 and 1774) and at Somerset House (1780). He also helped decorate the common council chamber of the Guildhall in London (1794) and Trinity House (1796). According to the Dictionary of National Biography, all these works were "executed in the fashionable Italian style of G. B. Cipriani and Biagio Rebecca, being mostly classical figures and imitations of bas-reliefs".[1] His works at the Guildhall, representing "Providence", "Innocence", "Wisdom" and "Happiness" were painted at the expense of Alderman John Boydell.[6] They did not last: a guidebook to the building, published in 1819, recorded that "these Paintings never dried perfectly and turned black. They exist no longer..."[6]

 
Johann Reinhold Forster and Georg Forster in Tahiti, by John Francis Rigaud 1780.

Rigaud also produced history paintings, such as Entry of the Black Prince into London with his Royal Prisoner (1775), and several works for the galleries of Thomas Macklin and Robert Bowyer, and for the Shakespeare Gallery of John Boydell in the late 1780s. According to the Dictionary of National Biography, "his historical paintings were not well received".[1] He was also commissioned to paint two religious works: a Descent from the Cross for the Roman Catholic Sardinian Embassy Chapel in London in 1780[1] and a fresco of the Ascension for the newly rebuilt church of St Martin Outwich[7] in 1797.[1] This last painting soon fell into a poor condition and was destroyed during alterations to the building in 1827.[7] [8] His "descent from the Cross" painted in 1780 is now visible in the Church of St Anselm and St Cecilia which was built after the destruction of the Sardinian Embassy Chapel during the Gordon riots.

 
Samson Breaking his Bands (1784)

Rigaud was also a portrait painter, and painted a group portrait of the artists Francesco Bartolozzi, Agostino Carlini, and Giovanni Battista Cipriani in 1777 and another of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir William Chambers, and Joseph Wilton in 1782. He also painted a series of naval heroes, including Lord Nelson. According to the Dictionary of National Biography, his portraits "tend to be strongly characterized and boldly conceived, even occasionally eccentric".[1]

On 10 February 1784 Rigaud was formally elected to the Royal Society, with Samson Breaking his Bands as his diploma work. In 1795, he was appointed historical painter to Gustavus IV of Sweden and was made a member of the Royal Academy of Stockholm. However, after 1800, according to the Dictionary of National Biography, his career as a painter seems to have declined. He translated Leonardo da Vinci's A Treatise on Painting (1802) and he restored painted decorations such as those in Greenwich Hospital and Montague House.[1]

Family edit

 
Portrait of the artist with his wife Mary Williams and children (Mary, Stephen and Betsy), in his studio, 1782[9].

Rigaud married Mary Williams (1740? – 1808) on 21 July 1774. They had three daughters and one son, Stephen Francis Dutilh Rigaud, who also became a painter. After his wife's death, Rigaud lived with his son.[1]

Death edit

He died from apoplexy on 6 December 1810 at Packington Hall in Warwickshire and was buried in St James' Church, Great Packington.[1]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Cust and Myrone, "John Francis Rigaud".
  2. ^ Rigaud, Stephen Francis Duthil (1984). "Facts and Recollections of the XVIIIth Century in a Memoir for John Francis Rigaud Esq. R.A.". The Volume of the Walpole Society. 50 – via JSTOR.
  3. ^ Another Huguenot, John Laporte lived at no. 14 in 1787, John Constable lived at no. 49 in 1811. See Rimbault, Edward Francis (1895). George, Clinch (ed.). Soho and its Associations : Historical, Literary & Artistic. London: Dulau & Co., 27 Bateman's Buildings, Soho. pp. 106-7.
  4. ^ Graves, Algernon (1884). A Dictionary of Artists who have Exhibited Works in the Principal London Exhibitions of Oil Paintings from 1760 to 1880. London: George Bell and Sons. p. 53.
  5. ^ Graves, Algernon (1905). The Royal Academy: A Complete Dictionary of Contributors from its Foundations in 1769 to 1904. Vol. 6. London: Henry Graves. p. 300.
  6. ^ a b A Brief Account of the Guildhall of the City of London. London: John Nichols and Son. 1819. p. 39.
  7. ^ a b Godwin, George; John Britton (1839). "St Martin's Outwich". The Churches of London: A History and Description of the Ecclesiastical Edifices of the Metropolis. London: C. Tilt.
  8. ^ There is an account of the state of the painting in Malcolm, James Peller (1807). Londinium Redivivium, or, an Ancient History and Modern Description of London. Vol. 4. London. p. 411.
  9. ^ Taylor, Lyrica (2015). "A rediscovered Self-portrait by JF Rigaud (1742–1810): The art of family affection in 18th-century England". The British Art Journal. 16 (2): 50–55. ISSN 1467-2006. JSTOR 24913965.

Bibliography edit

External links edit

  •   Media related to John Francis Rigaud at Wikimedia Commons
  •   Works by or about John Francis Rigaud at Wikisource
  • 21 artworks by or after John Francis Rigaud at the Art UK site

January 01, 1970
john, francis, rigaud, 1742, december, 1810, eighteenth, century, history, portrait, decorative, painter, french, descent, born, turin, spent, most, career, england, george, dance, 1793, contents, early, life, london, family, death, notes, bibliography, extern. John Francis Rigaud RA 18 May 1742 6 December 1810 was an eighteenth century history portrait and decorative painter Of French descent he was born in Turin and spent most of his career in England John Francis Rigaud by George Dance 1793 Contents 1 Early life 2 London 3 Family 4 Death 5 Notes 6 Bibliography 7 External linksEarly life editRigaud was born in Turin on 18 May 1742 and baptised on 9 September He was the second son of James Dutilh or Rigaud and Jeanne Francoise Guiraudet His father came from a family of Protestant merchants his grandfather Jacques Dutilh had fled from Lyon to Geneva with his family after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes Jacques died on the journey and his widow assumed her maiden name Rigaud by which the family became known 1 John had a brother Jacques Etienne Rigaud born 16 Jan 1741 and died 7 Mar 1767 at Turin 2 Having demonstrated an artistic ability Rigaud studied with Claudio Francesco Beaumont of Turin historical painter to the king of Sardinia He left Beaumont to travel Italy and study painting in Florence and in Bologna where he was made a member of the Accademia Clementina in 1766 He then travelled to Rome but had to return home due to family considerations In January 1768 he set off once again this time to Piacenza Parma Bologna and then once again to Rome He settled there and studied the city s art particularly the old masters and participated in life drawing schools There he produced what the Dictionary of National Biography describes as one of his most important works Hercules Resting from his Labours 1 While in Rome Rigaud became friends with the Swedish sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel and the Irish painter James Barry 1 London editIn April 1770 he and Barry travelled together to Florence Bologna and Turin Rigaud then spent a short time in Paris before leaving for London in December 1771 He exhibited his Hercules at the Royal Academy in 1772 and was elected an associate of the Academy in the same year 1 Also in 1772 he lodged at Mr Luther s 20 Frith Street now no 25 Soho 3 While Rigaud consistently exhibited paintings at the Royal Academy showing a total of 155 works there between 1772 and 1815 4 his most lucrative and engrossing employment was decorative painting for the town and country houses of the nobility including Lord Gower Lord Sefton and the Earl of Aylesford 1 Some of his exhibits at the Academy were studies for ceiling paintings and in 1797 he showed three works described as specimen s of fresco painting on Portland stone 5 The architect William Chambers offered him work in London at Melbourne House in Piccadilly 1772 and 1774 and at Somerset House 1780 He also helped decorate the common council chamber of the Guildhall in London 1794 and Trinity House 1796 According to the Dictionary of National Biography all these works were executed in the fashionable Italian style of G B Cipriani and Biagio Rebecca being mostly classical figures and imitations of bas reliefs 1 His works at the Guildhall representing Providence Innocence Wisdom and Happiness were painted at the expense of Alderman John Boydell 6 They did not last a guidebook to the building published in 1819 recorded that these Paintings never dried perfectly and turned black They exist no longer 6 nbsp Johann Reinhold Forster and Georg Forster in Tahiti by John Francis Rigaud 1780 Rigaud also produced history paintings such as Entry of the Black Prince into London with his Royal Prisoner 1775 and several works for the galleries of Thomas Macklin and Robert Bowyer and for the Shakespeare Gallery of John Boydell in the late 1780s According to the Dictionary of National Biography his historical paintings were not well received 1 He was also commissioned to paint two religious works a Descent from the Cross for the Roman Catholic Sardinian Embassy Chapel in London in 1780 1 and a fresco of the Ascension for the newly rebuilt church of St Martin Outwich 7 in 1797 1 This last painting soon fell into a poor condition and was destroyed during alterations to the building in 1827 7 8 His descent from the Cross painted in 1780 is now visible in the Church of St Anselm and St Cecilia which was built after the destruction of the Sardinian Embassy Chapel during the Gordon riots nbsp Samson Breaking his Bands 1784 Rigaud was also a portrait painter and painted a group portrait of the artists Francesco Bartolozzi Agostino Carlini and Giovanni Battista Cipriani in 1777 and another of Sir Joshua Reynolds Sir William Chambers and Joseph Wilton in 1782 He also painted a series of naval heroes including Lord Nelson According to the Dictionary of National Biography his portraits tend to be strongly characterized and boldly conceived even occasionally eccentric 1 On 10 February 1784 Rigaud was formally elected to the Royal Society with Samson Breaking his Bands as his diploma work In 1795 he was appointed historical painter to Gustavus IV of Sweden and was made a member of the Royal Academy of Stockholm However after 1800 according to the Dictionary of National Biography his career as a painter seems to have declined He translated Leonardo da Vinci s A Treatise on Painting 1802 and he restored painted decorations such as those in Greenwich Hospital and Montague House 1 Family edit nbsp Portrait of the artist with his wife Mary Williams and children Mary Stephen and Betsy in his studio 1782 9 Rigaud married Mary Williams 1740 1808 on 21 July 1774 They had three daughters and one son Stephen Francis Dutilh Rigaud who also became a painter After his wife s death Rigaud lived with his son 1 Death editHe died from apoplexy on 6 December 1810 at Packington Hall in Warwickshire and was buried in St James Church Great Packington 1 Notes edit a b c d e f g h i j k l m Cust and Myrone John Francis Rigaud Rigaud Stephen Francis Duthil 1984 Facts and Recollections of the XVIIIth Century in a Memoir for John Francis Rigaud Esq R A The Volume of the Walpole Society 50 via JSTOR Another Huguenot John Laporte lived at no 14 in 1787 John Constable lived at no 49 in 1811 See Rimbault Edward Francis 1895 George Clinch ed Soho and its Associations Historical Literary amp Artistic London Dulau amp Co 27 Bateman s Buildings Soho pp 106 7 Graves Algernon 1884 A Dictionary of Artists who have Exhibited Works in the Principal London Exhibitions of Oil Paintings from 1760 to 1880 London George Bell and Sons p 53 Graves Algernon 1905 The Royal Academy A Complete Dictionary of Contributors from its Foundations in 1769 to 1904 Vol 6 London Henry Graves p 300 a b A Brief Account of the Guildhall of the City of London London John Nichols and Son 1819 p 39 a b Godwin George John Britton 1839 St Martin s Outwich The Churches of London A History and Description of the Ecclesiastical Edifices of the Metropolis London C Tilt There is an account of the state of the painting in Malcolm James Peller 1807 Londinium Redivivium or an Ancient History and Modern Description of London Vol 4 London p 411 Taylor Lyrica 2015 A rediscovered Self portrait by JF Rigaud 1742 1810 The art of family affection in 18th century England The British Art Journal 16 2 50 55 ISSN 1467 2006 JSTOR 24913965 Bibliography editCust L H and Martin Myrone John Francis Rigaud DNB Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press 2004 Retrieved on 2 February 2008 The first edition of this text is available at Wikisource Rigaud John Francis Dictionary of National Biography London Smith Elder amp Co 1885 1900 External links edit nbsp Media related to John Francis Rigaud at Wikimedia Commons nbsp Works by or about John Francis Rigaud at Wikisource 21 artworks by or after John Francis Rigaud at the Art UK site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Francis Rigaud amp oldid 1217862746, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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