Claude Vignon

Claude Vignon (19 May 1593 – 10 May 1670) was a French painter, printmaker and illustrator who worked in a wide range of genres. During a period of study in Italy, he became exposed to many new artistic currents, in particular through the works of Caravaggio and his followers, Guercino, Guido Reni and Annibale Caracci. A prolific artist, his work has remained enigmatic, contradictory and hard to define within a single term or style. His mature works are vibrantly coloured, splendidly lit and often extremely expressive. Vignon worked in a fluent technique, resulting in an almost electric brushwork. He particularly excelled in the rendering of textiles, gold and precious stones.

Claude Vignon was born into a wealthy family in Tours. He received his initial artistic training in Paris from the Mannerist painter Jacob Bunel, a representative of the Second School of Fontainebleau. Although Vignon is not actually documented in Rome until 1618-19 he was probably based there throughout that decade. He likely travelled to Rome as early as 1609-10. Here he formed part of the French community of painters, including Simon Vouet and Valentin de Boulogne, both prominent members of the Caravaggisti, artists working in a style influenced by Caravaggio.

Vignon returned to his home country in 1616 where he became member of the Painter’s Guild of Paris in that year. He travelled a second time to Rome the next year. He also visited Spain, where he was reportedly attacked by 8 bandits in Barcelona, one of whom wounded him in the face.

Back in France in 1623, he married in 1624 Charlotte de Leu, the daughter of the engraver Thomas de Leu. Following his return to Paris he became one of the city's most respected, productive and successful artists. His patrons included king Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu. He also worked for ecclesiastical patrons as well as for private clients. He became a business associate of the print publisher and art dealer François Langlois. While the great decorative schemes of the day went to other painters such as Simon Vouet who had returned to France in 1627 and Philippe de Champaigne, Vignon continued to enjoy wide patronage and was highly sought after by the circle of the renowned literary salon of the Hôtel de Rambouillet. Anne, Duchesse de Longueville commissioned him to decorate the gallery at the Château du Thorigny between 1651 and 1653.

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