Pierre Mignard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pierre Mignard
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Pierre Mignard self-portrait
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Pierre Mignard
17 November 1612 Troyes, France
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| Died | 30 May 1695 (aged 82) Paris, France
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Pierre Mignard (born November 17, 1612 – died May 30, 1695) was a famous French painter. He was also known as "Mignard le Romain" because he lived in Rome for a long time. Pierre Mignard was well-known for his paintings of religious stories, myths, and people's faces (portraits). He was a rival of another important painter, Charles Le Brun, who was the King's First Painter. Their competition lasted for many years.
Contents
The Life of Pierre Mignard
Early Life and Training
Pierre Mignard was born in Troyes, France, in 1612. His family were skilled craftspeople. He had an older brother named Nicolas Mignard, who also became a painter. Nicolas worked mostly in Avignon and was called "Mignard d'Avignon." Nicolas's son, also named Pierre, became a painter too. To avoid confusion, the younger Pierre was called "Pierre II."
Pierre Mignard learned to paint in Bourges with an artist named Jean Boucher. He also copied older paintings at the château of Fontainebleau. Later, he studied in the studio of Simon Vouet, another well-known painter.
Time in Rome
In 1635, Pierre Mignard moved to Rome, Italy. He stayed there for about 22 years! This long stay earned him the nickname "Mignard le Romain."
While in Rome, he painted many religious artworks. He was especially famous for his paintings of the Madonna (Mary) and Child. These paintings were so popular that people called them "Mignardises." He also painted large artworks for church altars. Another French painter, Nicolas Poussin, even asked Mignard to make copies of his paintings. Mignard also became very interested in painting portraits. He painted popes, cardinals, and important Italian noble families. He also traveled around Northern Italy, visiting cities like Bologna and Venice.
Return to Paris and Rivalry
Pierre Mignard's fame grew, and in 1657, he was called back to Paris. He likely returned because Cardinal Mazarin, a powerful leader, wanted him there. On his way, he visited his brother Nicolas in Avignon. There, he met the famous writer Molière, who became a close friend. Mignard painted several portraits of Molière.
In Paris, Mignard became a very popular portrait painter. Even King Louis XIV liked his work and sat for many portraits. Mignard became a strong rival of Charles Le Brun, who was the most important painter in France at the time. Le Brun was in charge of the Royal Academy of Painting. Mignard refused to join the Academy and disagreed with its rules. This caused problems, and even his brother Nicolas and nephew Paul sided with Le Brun against Pierre.
Later Success
When Charles Le Brun died in 1690, things changed for Mignard. He took over all the important positions that Le Brun had held. Pierre Mignard died in Paris in 1695. He was just about to start painting the dome of Les Invalides, a famous building in Paris.
Pierre Mignard's Artworks
Main Types of Work
Mignard was mostly known for his portraits. He also created paintings that showed scenes from myths and religious stories.
After returning to Paris, many important people asked Mignard to paint their portraits. Some of the famous people he painted included Molière, Bossuet, and Madame de Maintenon. He was one of the most successful portrait painters of his time.
Where to See His Art
Many of Mignard's paintings were copied as engravings by other artists like Gérard Audran and Robert Nanteuil.
You can see paintings by Pierre Mignard in many museums around the world. Some of these include the Louvre in Paris, the National Gallery, London, the Hermitage Museum in Russia, and the Palace of Versailles in France. The Musée Calvet in Avignon also has a good collection of works by Pierre and his family members.
See also
In Spanish: Pierre Mignard para niños
- French Baroque and Classicism
- List of paintings by Pierre Mignard
