1762 -1801 · Rome, Florence and French neoclassicism in Italy

Ancient story, traveler's portrait and luminous Italian landscape make Louis Gauffier a refined figure of European neoclassicism.

Louis Gauffier was born in Poitiers in 1762. A student of the history painter Hugues Taraval, in 1784 he won the Grand Prix for painting with La Canaanéenne aux pieds du Christ. The stay at the French Academy in Rome opened up Antiquity, Raphael, Poussin and the light of the Italian countryside. He paints biblical and classical subjects in clear neoclassical language, where the figures are arranged as if on a measured scene. Jacob coming to find Laban's daughters combines Genesis stories, readable gestures and pastoral landscape: the human encounter takes place in an ordered and luminous space. Gauffier also directly observes nature. His small studies in Vicovaro oil and around Rome rocks, vegetation and atmospheric effects quickly capture, while its large landscapes transform Italy into a heroic setting. Revolutionary unrest made the situation difficult at the Academy; after a brief return to Paris in 1789, the artist settled in Florence. He earned his living there thanks to portraits of French officers and international travelers from the Grand Tour, often represented in the open air in front of the Tuscan hills. His wife Pauline Châtillon was a painter herself. Both died there thanks to portraits of French officers and international travelers from the Grand Tour, often represented in the open air in front of the Tuscan hills. His wife Pauline Châtillon was a painter herself. Both died in Florence in 1801, a few months apart. Both died in Florence in 1801, a few months apart. Both died in Florence in 1801, a few months apart. Both died in Florence in 1801, a few months apart. Both died in Florence in 1801, a few months apart. Both died in Florence in 1801, a few months apart. Both died in Florence in 1801, a few months apart. Both died in Florence in 1801, a few months apart. Both died in Florence in 1801, a Louis Gauffier" notably compares Jacob coming to find Laban's daughters. His reading favors the material.

Gauffier places the story in the light of Italy: the figure, the landscape and Antiquity breathe with the same balance.