DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68873#0233
FRANCOIS FLAMAND.
Francois Flamand, whose family name was Du-
quesnoy, was born at Brussels, in 1594. His father was
a sculptor. This young artist, therefore, met with no
obstacle in the prosecution of an art for which, from his
infancy, he had a decided taste. His first works were
considered as chef d’oeuvres in his own country. But he
felt that they could be surpassed; and, in order to obtain
models, he went to Rome, at the age of twenty-five.
There he acquired an intimacy with Poussin, who assisted
him with his advice ; and became acquainted with Do-
menechino, whose works he particularly studied.
As this latter artist excelled in the manner of painting
children, it is in figures of this kind that Frangois ob-
tained the greatest success. Compelled to labour for a
subsistence, he undertook, for some time only, small per-
formances. His basso relievos, in bronze and in marble,
present the most fascinating scenes, in which children
always perform the principal characters: their undecided
features, their delicate contours, the naivete of their ac-
tions, the variety of their pleasures, in different ages, he
represented with uncommon elegance; and, among the
most enchanting objects, shewed himself sublime. The
celebrity of his productions has been increased by time ;
and his figures of children are no less studied than those
that remain of antiquity.
His great works have not done him equal honour.
Rome possesses a Susanna and a St, Andrew, which are
Francois Flamand, whose family name was Du-
quesnoy, was born at Brussels, in 1594. His father was
a sculptor. This young artist, therefore, met with no
obstacle in the prosecution of an art for which, from his
infancy, he had a decided taste. His first works were
considered as chef d’oeuvres in his own country. But he
felt that they could be surpassed; and, in order to obtain
models, he went to Rome, at the age of twenty-five.
There he acquired an intimacy with Poussin, who assisted
him with his advice ; and became acquainted with Do-
menechino, whose works he particularly studied.
As this latter artist excelled in the manner of painting
children, it is in figures of this kind that Frangois ob-
tained the greatest success. Compelled to labour for a
subsistence, he undertook, for some time only, small per-
formances. His basso relievos, in bronze and in marble,
present the most fascinating scenes, in which children
always perform the principal characters: their undecided
features, their delicate contours, the naivete of their ac-
tions, the variety of their pleasures, in different ages, he
represented with uncommon elegance; and, among the
most enchanting objects, shewed himself sublime. The
celebrity of his productions has been increased by time ;
and his figures of children are no less studied than those
that remain of antiquity.
His great works have not done him equal honour.
Rome possesses a Susanna and a St, Andrew, which are