Everything about Charles Alphonse Du Fresnoy totally explained
Charles Alphonse du Fresnoy (
1611-
1665),
French painter and writer on his art, was born in
Paris, son of an
apothecary.
He was destined for the medical profession, and well educated in
Latin and
Greek; but, having a natural propensity for the fine arts, he wouldn't apply to his intended vocation, and was allowed to learn the rudiments of design under
Perrier and
Vouet. At the age of twenty-one he went off to
Rome, with no resources; he drew ruins and architectural subjects.
After two years thus spent he re-encountered his old fellow-student
Pierre Mignard, and by his aid obtained some amelioration of his professional prospects. He studied
Raphael and the antique, went in 1633 to
Venice, and in 1656 returned to France. During two years he was now employed in painting altar-pieces in the
château du Raincy, landscapes, etc. His death was caused by an attack of
apoplexy followed by palsy; he expired at
Villiers le Bel, near Paris. He never married.
His pictorial works are few; they're correct in drawing, with something of the
Caracci in design, and of
Titian in colouring, but wanting fire and expression, and insufficient to keep his name in any eminent repute.
He is remembered now almost entirely as a writer rather than painter. His Latin poem,
De arte graphica, was written during his Italian sojourn, and embodied his observations on the art of painting; it may be termed a critical treatise on the practice of the art, with general advice to students. The precepts are sound according to the standard of his time; the poetical merits slender enough. The Latin style is formed chiefly on
Lucretius and
Horace.
This poem was first published by
Mignard, and has been translated into several languages. In 1684 it was turned into French by
Roger de Piles;
Dryden translated the work into English prose; and a rendering into verse by
Mason followed, to which
Sir Joshua Reynolds added some annotations.
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