Charles Benazech
Encyclopedia
Charles Benazech was an English portrait
and historical
painter, and aquatint
engraver. Prints of his painting of Louis XVI and family, just before the monarch's execution during the French revolution
, achieved a wide circulation.
around 1767, the son of Peter Paul Benazech
. In 1782, at the age of fifteen, he went to Rome
, and on his return stayed for a time in Paris
, where he studied under Greuze
, and witnessed the outbreak of the French Revolution. This
eventful period furnished him with the subjects of four pictures by which he became known: "The Address of Louis XVI at the Bar of the National Convention", "The Separation of Louis XVI from his Family", "The last Interview between Louis XVI and his Family" and "Louis XVI ascending the Scaffold". These were engraved by
Luigi Schiavonetti
.
He also painted also "The last Interview between Charles I and his Children" engraved by Thomas Gaugain, as well as some subjects from the poets and several good portraits. He was a member of the
Florentine Academy, and exhibited at the Royal Academy
in London
in the years 1790 and 1791. He likewise engraved a few plates in aquatint
, including the "Couronnement de la Rosiere", in which he attempted to imitate the style of Philibert-Louis Debucourt
, and also some portraits after himself, as well as two of Henry IV, king of France, and Sully, after Pourbus
, which are signed with the fictitious name of Frieselheim.
Benezach died in London in the summer of 1794, aged just 27 years.
Portrait painting
Portrait painting is a genre in painting, where the intent is to depict the visual appearance of the subject. Beside human beings, animals, pets and even inanimate objects can be chosen as the subject for a portrait...
and historical
History painting
History painting is a genre in painting defined by subject matter rather than an artistic style, depicting a moment in a narrative story, rather than a static subject such as a portrait...
painter, and aquatint
Aquatint
Aquatint is an intaglio printmaking technique, a variant of etching.Intaglio printmaking makes marks on the matrix that are capable of holding ink. The inked plate is passed through a printing press together with a sheet of paper, resulting in a transfer of the ink to the paper...
engraver. Prints of his painting of Louis XVI and family, just before the monarch's execution during the French revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, achieved a wide circulation.
Life and work
Benazach was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
around 1767, the son of Peter Paul Benazech
Peter Paul Benazech
-Life and work:Benazech is said to have been born in London about the year 1744. He was a pupil of François Vivares, and worked as a draughtsman and engraver both in London and in Paris...
. In 1782, at the age of fifteen, he went to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, and on his return stayed for a time in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, where he studied under Greuze
Jean-Baptiste Greuze
Jean-Baptiste Greuze was a French painter.-Early life:He was born at Tournus, Saône-et-Loire. He is generally said to have formed his own talent; this is, however, true only in the most limited sense, for at an early age his inclinations, though thwarted by his father, were encouraged by a...
, and witnessed the outbreak of the French Revolution. This
eventful period furnished him with the subjects of four pictures by which he became known: "The Address of Louis XVI at the Bar of the National Convention", "The Separation of Louis XVI from his Family", "The last Interview between Louis XVI and his Family" and "Louis XVI ascending the Scaffold". These were engraved by
Luigi Schiavonetti
Luigi Schiavonetti
Luigi Schiavonetti , Italian reproductive engraver and etcher, was born at Bassano in Venetia.After having studied art for several years he was employed by Testolini, an engraver of very indifferent abilities, to execute imitations of Bartolozzi's works, which he passed off as his own...
.
He also painted also "The last Interview between Charles I and his Children" engraved by Thomas Gaugain, as well as some subjects from the poets and several good portraits. He was a member of the
Florentine Academy, and exhibited at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in the years 1790 and 1791. He likewise engraved a few plates in aquatint
Aquatint
Aquatint is an intaglio printmaking technique, a variant of etching.Intaglio printmaking makes marks on the matrix that are capable of holding ink. The inked plate is passed through a printing press together with a sheet of paper, resulting in a transfer of the ink to the paper...
, including the "Couronnement de la Rosiere", in which he attempted to imitate the style of Philibert-Louis Debucourt
Philibert-Louis Debucourt
Philibert-Louis Debucourt, a French painter and engraver, was born in Paris in 1765, and became a pupil of Vien. He executed afew plates in mezzotint; the 'Heureuse famille,' the 'Benediction de la mariée,' and the 'Cruche cassée,' after his own designs...
, and also some portraits after himself, as well as two of Henry IV, king of France, and Sully, after Pourbus
Pourbus
Pourbus is a family name, often referring to a family of Flemish painters:*Pieter Pourbus **Frans Pourbus the Elder , his son***Frans Pourbus the younger, also known as Frans II , his son...
, which are signed with the fictitious name of Frieselheim.
Benezach died in London in the summer of 1794, aged just 27 years.
External links
- Charles Benezach on Artnet
- Portraits by Benazech (National Portyrait Gallery, London)
- Paintings of Louis XVI (L'histoire par L'image")