18th Century French Rococò Painting, Framed

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18th Century French Rococò Painting

An important oil on panel painting attributed to the great French artist of the eighth … Read more 18th Century French Rococò Painting

An important oil on panel painting attributed to the great French artist of the eighth century, Jean Raoux (Montpellier, 10 June 1677 - Paris, 10 February 1734).
Our beautiful painting depicts with rare skill a genre scene, most probably the allegory of Music, one of the themes dear to our artist (see The Joy of Painting in the Museum of Fine Arts in Brest).
The Venetian atmosphere that this beautiful work conveys is reflected in the artistic career of Jean Raoux who, in addition to his inevitable stay in Rome where he won the Prix de Rome in 1704, spent long periods in both Venice and Padua.
In the foreground, a young noblewoman (the patron?) plays a flute with rare elegance, flanked by her lady-in-waiting and in the presence of a dishevelled nobleman, perhaps the Maesto, perhaps a suitor.
Many curtains, another artistic signature of our artist, form the backdrop to this painting of rare beauty and skill.

This artwork, never before on the market, comes from an important private collection and is beautified by an impressive antique frame in gilded wood, in almost perfect condition.

Jean Raoux (1677 – 10 February 1734), French painter, was born at Montpellier.

After the usual course of training he became a member of the Academy in 1717 as an historical painter.
His reputation had been previously established by the acclaimed decorations executed during his three years in Italy on the palace of Giustiniani Solini in Venice, and by some easel paintings, the Four Ages of Man (National Gallery), commissioned by the grand prior of Vendôme.
To this latter class of subject Raoux devoted himself, refusing to paint portraits except in character.

The list of his works is a long series of sets of the Seasons, of the Hours, of the Elements, or of those scenes of amusement and gallantry in the representation of which he was immeasurably surpassed by his younger rival Watteau.
After his stay in England (1720) he lived much in the Temple, where he decorated several rooms.
He died in Paris in 1734.
His best pupils were Chevalier and Montdidier.
His works were much engraved by Poilly, Moyreau, Dupuis, etc

Dimensions are frame included. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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