Portrait of Cardinal de Fleury

Hyacinthe Rigaud needs no introduction. His work, wonderfully showcased in the exhibition dedicated to him at the Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon from November 17, 2020 to March 14, 2021 ("Hyacinthe Rigaud ou le portrait soleil"), is also the subject of a catalog raisonné on the Internet, thanks to the good work of Mr. Stéphan Perreau. Not to mention the countless articles regularly published by Ariane James-Sarrazin, the painter's leading specialist.

Born in Perpignan in 1659, Rigaud began drawing in Montpellier with Ranc and, after a stay in Lyon, moved to Paris in 1681. Advised by Le Brun, he turned to portraiture. Professor at the Académie from 1710, rector from 1733, he was knighted by Louis XV, whose portrait he had painted in 1730. Nicknamed "the painter of the greats", he had a huge clientele of politicians, men of war and letters, ecclesiastics and scholars. Alongside François de Troy and Nicolas de Largillière, he remains the master of portraiture in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Our model, less well known today, was one of the principal servants of the French monarchy in the first half of the 18th century. André Hercule de Fleury (1653-1743) was appointed preceptor to Louis XV in 1716, and was always very close to him. In conflict with the Duc de Bourbon, Prime Minister since 1723, Fleury obtained the latter's dismissal in 1726, and de facto held this position until his death. His prudent policy led to France's recovery, both economically and with regard to other nations. But neither he nor the King could effectively oppose France's participation in the War of the Austrian Succession.
The close ties between the painter and his model are first and foremost geographical: born in Lodève, Cardinal de Fleury was "protector of the Méridionaux who traveled to Versailles". Rigaud painted him twice, in 1706 and 1728, and Fleury was one of his most constant supporters.

There are many versions of Rigaud's portrait of Cardinal de Fleury, both full-length and in bust form. These have been scrupulously catalogued by Mr. Stéphan Perreau. Ours, sold by Maison Tajan in 2019 as being by Rigaud's studio, and recently restored by Atelier Almaflo Art, is of very fine craftsmanship. The face, highlighted by the neutral background, is imbued with intelligence, wisdom and bonhomie.

Detail:
- Oil on canvas.
- Sold unframed.
- Fully restored.

Ref: M67802VBL1