Source: National Archives & Historic Records of Kingdom of France
Art • Historical Archive • 🇫🇷 France • 2 views

Charles Le Brun 🇫🇷

Charles Le Brun (Known as "First Painter to the King")
First Painter to King Louis XIV, Director of the Gobelins, Painter of Hall of Mirrors
Born Feb 24, 1619 🇫🇷 Paris, France
Passed Away Feb 12, 1690 Paris (Gobelins), Kingdom of France
Lifespan 70 years old
2 views
Notice / Correction
"Every line, every color, and every fabric must bear the stamp of royal magnificence and harmony."

Archival Overview

Dominant artistic dictator of the Grand Siècle who directed the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, headed the Gobelins Manufactory, and painted the ceiling of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

Biographical Record

A prodigy sponsored by Chancellor Pierre Séguier, Le Brun traveled to Rome in 1642 to study under Nicolas Poussin. Returning to France, he painted the magnificent Hercules Salon at Vaux-le-Vicomte, captivating King Louis XIV.

In 1662, Louis XIV appointed him First Painter to the King and director of the royal Gobelins Manufactory, supervising thousands of weavers, sculptors, and metalworkers. Le Brun personally designed and painted the monumental ceiling of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, glorifying the Sun King's reign in thirty allegorical compositions.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Church of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet (Monument sculpted by Antoine Coysevox)
Paris, France
GPS: 48.8489, 2.3506
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