[Born in Paris, 1645. Died at Marly, in France, 1708. Aged 63.]
The builder of the Palace of Versailles, and of the Hôtel des Invalides
in Paris: indebted for his celebrity more to the good-will of his
sovereign, Louis XIV., than to his own genius. His works noble and
striking, but his style not chaste, and apt to fall into extravagance. A
vain man, proud of the favours of the king and jealous of retaining
them.
[From a marble in the Louvre, by T. L. Lemoyne, a pupil of Coysevox,
who died in 1755; and doubtless from the life. He wears a damask dress
with the cordon of St. Michel.]
207*. CLAUDE JOSEPH VERNET. _Painter._
[Born at Avignon in France, 1714. Died 1789. Aged 75.]
He received his first instruction from his father, who was an historical
painter. He set out for Italy in his eighteenth year, and continued
there for many years, studying and painting for small remuneration. He
returned to France in 1753, on the invitation of Louis XV., was elected
a member of the French Academy, and commissioned by the government to
paint the principal ports of France. He excelled in marine subjects. It
is related of him that during a terrible storm at sea, when all on board
his ship were trembling for their lives, he caused himself to be lashed
to the mast of the vessel, that he might watch the boiling ocean. The
Louvre contains several of his pictures, which display a consummate
management of light and shade. He had no rival in France whilst he
lived, and he died pencil in hand. He was a modest man, and never so
happy as when at work.
[Bust to come.]