The Life of Georges De La Tour
Georges de La Tour, a prominent French Baroque painter, was born on March 13, 1593, in Vic-sur-Seille, France. He was the second of seven children to Jean de La Tour, a baker, and Sybille de La Tour, née Molian, possibly from a partly noble background.
Early Education and Training
While the details of La Tour's early education and training are somewhat obscure, it is speculated that he might have traveled to Italy or the Netherlands. However, there is no conclusive evidence. It is possible he trained under Jacques Bellange in Nancy, the capital of Lorraine.
Artistic Style and Influences
La Tour's style, influenced by Caravaggio, likely came through the Dutch Caravaggisti of the Utrecht School and other Northern European contemporaries, with notable similarities to Dutch painter
Hendrick Terbrugghen. His mastery of chiaroscuro and tenebrism, using dramatic contrasts between light and dark, created captivating scenes.
Notable Works and Museums
Some of La Tour's most notable works include:
- The Fortune-Teller (Tenebrism, Oil On Canvas), a masterpiece that showcases his use of dramatic illumination.
- Adoration of the Shepherds (107 x 131 cm, Musée du Louvre, Paris, France, Oil On Canvas), a painting that exemplifies his skill in capturing the essence of religious themes.
- The Tears of St. Peter (114 x 95 cm, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, USA, Tenebrism, Oil On Canvas), a work that demonstrates his ability to convey emotion through his art.
Legacy and Later Life
La Tour was appointed "Painter to the King" of France in 1638 and worked for the Dukes of Lorraine. He passed away in 1652, leaving behind a legacy as a significant figure in European art history.
Explore more of Georges De La Tour's works on WahooArt.com:
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Georges De La Tour | 94 Artworks
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Discover the Musée des Beaux-Arts (Tourcoing, France) and its Masterpieces
Learn more about Georges De La Tour's life and art on Wikipedia:
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Georges de La Tour - Wikipedia