Blagoy Kiroff - Pierre-Paul Prudhon: 100 Masters Drawings

By Blagoy Kiroff First Edition ***** Pierre-Paul Prud'hon: 100 Master's Drawings ***** Copyright 2015 by Blagoy Kiroff P ierre-Paul Prud'hon (1758 1823) was a French Romantic painter and draughtsman best known for his allegorical paintings and portraits. Prud'hon's artistic style contrasted starkly with the dominant version of Neoclassicism under Jacques-Louis David. Prud'hon's paintings were based on classical texts and ancient prototypes, but his dreaminess and melancholy were more akin to Romanticism. His drawings, often black chalk on blue paper, were widely admired. Born the tenth son of a stonecutter in Burgundy, Pierre Prudon transformed both halves of his name and became Pierre-Paul Prud'hon, as if to relate himself to Peter Paul Rubens and to evoke landed gentry. He began studying painting in Dijon at age sixteen.

Prud'hon arrived in Paris in 1780, but his experience in Italy from 1784 to 1787, when he absorbed the softness and sensuality of Correggio's works and Leonardo da Vinci's sfumato, gave his art its distinctive style. Upon his return to Paris, Prud'hon enthusiastically supported the French Revolution. In 1801 Napoleon favored him with commissions for portraits, ceiling decorations, and allegorical paintings. His painting of Josephine portrays her, not as an Empress but as a lovely attractive woman which led some to think that he might have been in love with her. After the divorce of Napoleon and Josephine, he was also employed by Napoleon's second wife Marie-Louise. In 1816 Prud'hon gained membership in the Institute de France.

An ill-fated love affair with a pupil and collaborator who committed suicide in his studio caused Prud'hon's depression and subsequent death.

Seated Female Nude Black and white chalk, stumped, on blue paper Detail Bust of a Female Figure Black and white chalk on paper Detail The Assumption of the Virgin Black and white chalk on blue paper Detail Detail Andromache and Astyanax Pen and gray ink with brush and brown wash over traces of black chalk Detail Detail Detail Oeuvres de Jean Racine Written by Jean Racine Illustrated by Pierre Paul Prud'hon, Printed book with engraved illustrations Detail Detail Head of a Young Boy Stipple engraving Detail Daphnis and Chloe Print Detail Detail Amour laughs about love Black and white chalk on colored paper Detail Detail Wisdom and Truth Black and white chalk, on bluish paper Detail Andromache and Astynax Black and white chalk on grey paper Detail Detail Head of a Bacchant black, red and white chalks with charcoal on blue paper Detail Study of Winged Allegorical Figure Holding Drapery black and white chalk and stumping, on blue paper Detail