Stylistic analysis of Jean Jacques Lagrenet works and his interpretation of Ovid "metamorposes"

Abstract

The article is devoted to the works of Jean-Jacques Lagrenet Junior(September 8, 1739, Paris - 13th of February, 1821., Paris), who along with his brother Jean-Louis Francois is considered as a special master of the second half of XVIIIth century. In his work the aesthetic principles of the era were reflected - the reign period of two kings of France - Louis XV and Louis XVI. This is the period of art evolution from rococo to neoclassicism. This era gave rise to such a specific kind of art as a decorative painting. The samples of this type have mainly a decorative function, being mainly not an object of isolated contemplation, but an active element interior. The works of "Ovid Series" painted by Lagrenet Junior bear the characteristic features of the era: they illustrate one of the most popular works of Roman literature, organized accordance with the compositional principles of style, depict not personalities but ornamental types. The creativity of Lagrenet Junior cannot be included in a string of outstanding XVIIIth century painters in France, beginning from A. Vatto and ending with L. David. However, it belongs to the "artistic layer", to those artists whose art is an integral part of the era style. The article may be of interest to specialists studying the art of XVIIIth century held in the collection of Russia. It introduces into the science a quite remarkable series of Lagrenet Junior paintings. The comparative analysis of Lagrenet Junior works with the works of the Russian artist A.P. Losenko, XVIIIth century (1737-1773), i.e. with his work "The Death of Adonis" (1764). In a study conducted A historical and stylistic analysis of four paintings written by Lagrenet Junior, located in a large collection of fine arts, belonging to Mr. A.G. Semin is performed in a study. The authors hope to continue the study of Lagrenet brothers creativity with the Russian art of that time.