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Louis-Jean-Francois Lagrenee
1725-1805
French Neoclassical Painter
Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée (December 30, 1725 - June 19, 1805), French painter, born at Paris, was a pupil of Carlo Vanloo.
In 1755 he became a member of the Royal Academy, presenting as his diploma picture the "Rape of Deianira" (Louvre). He visited St Petersburg at the call of the empress Elizabeth, and on his return was named in 1781 director of the French Academy at Rome; he there painted the "Indian Widow," one of his best-known works.
In 1804 Napoleon conferred on him the cross of the legion of honour, and on the 19th of June 1805 he died in the Louvre, of which he was honorary keeper.
In 1755 he became a member of the Royal Academy, presenting as his diploma picture the "Rape of Deianira" (Louvre). He visited St Petersburg at the call of the empress Elizabeth, and on his return was named in 1781 director of the French Academy at Rome; he there painted the "Indian Widow," one of his best-known works.
In 1804 Napoleon conferred on him the cross of the legion of honour, and on the 19th of June 1805 he died in the Louvre, of which he was honorary keeper.