charles alphonse du fresnoy, a french painter and writer on his art, was born in paris in 1611, son of an apothecary. he was destined for the medical profession but, having a natural propensity for the fine arts, he would not apply to his intended vocation. instead, he was allowed to learn the rudiments of design under perrier and vouet.
artistic career
at the age of twenty-one, du fresnoy went to rome, where he drew ruins and architectural subjects. after two years, he re-encountered his old fellow-student pierre mignard, who aided him in improving his professional prospects. du fresnoy studied raphael and the antique, eventually traveling to venice in 1633 and returning to france in 1656.
notable works and style
during his two-year employment painting altar-pieces in the château du raincy, du fresnoy's works were characterized by correct drawing, with something of the caracci in design and titian in coloring. however, his pictorial works are few and lack fire and expression, which is why he is remembered more as a writer than a painter.
written works
du fresnoy's latin poem, de arte graphica, written during his italian sojourn, embodies his observations on the art of painting. this critical treatise on the practice of the art, with general advice to students, was first published by mignard and has been translated into several languages, including a translation by roger de piles in 1668.
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