Artist of the Week by Apollo Colligan

Born in Nancy, France on June 26, 1725, Joseph Ducreux may have trained with his father, who was also a painter. He went to Paris to be taught by the famous pastel artist, Maurice Quentin de La Tour. When the French Revolution broke out, he fled to England. Here, he made the last portrait ever of King Louis XVI before the king’s execution.

Joseph is most famous for his uncanny self portraits, many of which were of him in odd and funny positions. He made these self portraits in the 1780s and 1790s. He also made many typical-style portraits of kings and queens as well as other influential people, including Marie Antoinette, King Louis XVI, Maria Theresa of Austria, and many more.

                      

 

 

Ducreux would resurge in popularity when his most famous self-portrait, below, entitled “Portrait de l’artiste sous les traits d’un moqueur” (Portrait of the Artist with the Traits of a Mocker) was turned into an internet meme.

 

 

Do you have a suggestion for an Artist of the Week? Message Ms. Kincaid with your ideas.