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25 november 2004
La Tour's St. Sebastian
St Sebastian tended by Irene (1649?) by Georges de La Tour (1593-1652)
Musée du Louvre (Paris, France). 167x131 cm.
Georges de la Tour (1593 - 1652)
Georges de La Tour was born on March 13, 1593 in the town of Vic-upon-Seille, in Lorraine. His baptism document indicates that he was the son of Jean de La Tour, baker, and Sybille de La Tour, née Molian (or Malian).
In 1620 he established his studio in Luneville and painting religious and genre scenes. In 1638 Lunéville was sacked and burnt, the house and studio of the artist with all its pictures were destroyed by fire. The family found shelter in Nancy.
In 1639, La Tour was in Paris by the king's order. The King presented him with 1000 francs for some service (what kind of service it was, is unknown). Though from now on he was referred to as ‘Sir George de la Tour, painter of his majesty’. In 1645, the king appointed one Henri de La Ferté-Senneterre the governor of Lorraine. The new governor loved arts. He immediately established good relations with La Tour and became his patron. On January 15, 1652 La Tour’s wife, Diane, died. Soon after her, on January 30, La Tour died, deeply depressed.
Although his initial work was executed in a Mannerist style, he later showed influence of Caravaggio. La Tour’s work went unrecognized after his death in 1652 but was rediscovered by a German scholar in 1915.
Posted by willy at 25 november 2004 14:00 to 54 - Martyr | Religion | Comments (0)