Human Flower Project

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

A Boy Named Hyacinthe

Known best for his portraits of the French royals, Hyacinthe Rigaud had a handle on flowers, too.

Portrait of Jean Le Juge and His Family (detail)

by Hyacinthe Rigaud

National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

Photo: Lee Sandstead

Rose, Violet, Daisy, Iris—flower names are usually bestowed on girls. Perhaps that custom gave Hyacinthe Rigaud, born male on July 18,  1759, a lot to live down. At age 23, he won the Prix de Rome—entitling him to a year’s study in Italy— but said “no thanks,” choosing to set up his own studio in Paris instead. Seems to have been a good idea, for soon Hyacinthe was accepting commissions from none other than the Sun King, Louis XIV. His portrait of Le Roi Soleil in Alice Cooper wig and white tights is one of the most memorable of all royal portraits. For the throngs of us who’ll never get within hailing distance of a king, Hyacinthe Rigaud’s painting style is positively tactile. You can actually touch His Highness’s curls and calves (if you want to).

In the portrait of Jean le Juge and Family, Rigaud and his assistants paint a whole baroque hand jive. Dad clutches a velvet cape while pointing to his darling daughter, Mother strokes a glossy dachshund and with her other hand, pulls a shawl of modesty over the girl’s shoulder, while sissy holds a parrot on one finger and with the other hand encircles a basket of flowers.

Studies of Flowers

by Hyacinthe Rigaud, c. 1695

Image: ArtNet

Hyacinthe Rigaud is renowned for these well upholstered pictures of the French nobility, but we discover that he was a fine flower painter, too. (Carnations aren’t good patrons, though.) His study of lilies, poppies, mallow and roses, all suspended against a background of gold look as fresh as this week’s flower scans (check out Craig Cramer’s latest).

As in Johnny Cash’s song “Boy Named Sue,” Hyacinthe Rigaud’s father—also a painter—may have wanted to give his boy something to prove.  Monsieur Rigaud Senior, here you go.