Louis LAGRENÉE, known as LAGRENÉE the Elder (Paris 1725-1805 - Lot 115

Louis LAGRENÉE, known as LAGRENÉE the Elder (Paris 1725-1805). Bellona presents Mars with the reins of her horses. Canvas. Dimensions: 50.5x61.5 cm. Signed lower left. (Old restorations). Frame in molded, carved, stuccoed and gilded wood. Expert: E.T. Provenance: French private collection. Awarded the Prix de Rome in 1749, and admitted to the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture in 1755 with "L'enlèvement de Déjanire", Louis Lagrenée dit l'Aîné was considered by his contemporaries to be "L'Albane moderne". An emblematic figure of French neo-classicism, he pursued a career as an official painter for the Bâtiments du roi, painting both grand genres and small salon or cabinet pictures. He also designed tapestries, and was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1804. An unpublished painting by Lagrenée l'Aîné, our picture was executed between 1795 and 1796. It reproduces, with a few variations, the work dated 1766 and preserved in the Princeton University Museum in the United States. We would like to thank Mr. Joseph Assémat-Tessandier for kindly confirming the authenticity of our painting after direct examination, and for helping us with its description.