What an Art Collector should know before starting an Art Collection
What an Artist should know before assembling an Art Exhibition
Painting Techniques
Impasto - painting techniques
Digital Painting
Glaze - painting techniques
Grisaille - painting techniques
New Materials (Painting)
Pointillism - painting techniques
Scumble - painting techniques
Sfumato - painting techniques
Sumi-e - painting techniques
Wash - painting techniques
Brush painting
Fingerpaint
N. B. Lépicié - life and work
Painter: Jean Michel Moreau
Nicolas Bernard Lépicié, French painter born in Paris on June 16, 1735 and deceased on September 15, 1784, was a reputed artist of the 18th century due to his talent and vast work. Nicolas-Bernard, son of Renee-Elisabeth and Francois Bernard, was introduced to the artistic and cultural environment by his parents, reputed engravers at the time.
The painter first studied gravure by his father's side and then acknowledged his painting talent under the guidance of Carle Van Loo, in 1751. Few years later, in 1759, Lépicié participated in the Prix de Rome competition at the Academie Royale de Peinture et Sculpture and came in second. Yet, he didn't take the trip for whatever reasons. The Royal Academie in France granted him with a privileged status after painting the oversized Landing of William the Conqueror on the English Coast, in 1764. He became full member of the Royal Academy only in 1769, after completing several mostly religious works including The Baptism of Christ (1765), Conversion of Saul and Christ and Little Children (1767). The painting for which he was awarded with the membership is Achilled and the Centaur Chiron.
Nicolas Bernard Lépicié's career became didactic in 1770 when he was accepted as assistant professor in the Academie. In 1777 he became professor. Meanwhile, the artist was shown more and more appreciation and his work inspired many painters of the century. Under his guidance, important names of the neo-classical age practiced and perfected their talent. Carle Vernet, for instance, first stepped into Lépicié's studio when he was only 11. Others, including Jean-Joseph Taillasson, Jean-Frederic Schall, Jean-Baptiste Regnault, Henri-Pierre Danloux and Nicolas-Antoine Taunay.
Yet, critics have attributed over the centuries Lépicié's early success to his father's artistic authority and to friendships such as that of Charles-Nicholas Cochin II. The latter is also known to have kept a minimum of five works Lépicié's. Nicolas Bernard Lépicié is most reputed for paintings like Le Petit Dessinateur, A Mother Feeding her Child, Narcissus, Cour de ferme or Achilles and the Centaur Chiron.
In Le Petit Dessinateur, painted in1772, Lépicié pictures Carle Vernet when he was 14. Vernet posed for several of the artist's works, becoming shortly his favorite model. Cour de Ferme was painted in 1784 and reveals the moral crisis undergone by Lépicié in his last years of life. He spent most of that time at the country side and his work focused mostly on scenes of the simple life, similar to those illustrated by Teniers in his paintings. Thus, he wishes to reveal the blessings of nature in contrast with the sinful life in the city. The painting that made Nicolas Bernard Lépicié full member of the Royal Academy, Achilles and the Centaur Chiron (1769), is inspired by the Greek mythological legends, whereas Chiron is a skilful creature half-man half-horse and Achilles is son of nymph Thetis and mortal King Peleus. Chiron educated Achiles and introduced him to arts and knowledge.Nicolas Bernard Lépicié's collection of paintings is equally vast and various, ranging from portraits to historical scenes and domestic life reflections.
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