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Louis
Tokke

France • 1696−1772

Studied under Bertin and Nattie. Before departure to Russia has become quite famous in Paris as a portraitist (portraits of J. L. Lemoine, 1734; Dauphin, 1739; Mary Leszczynski, 1740, all Paris, Louvre). After the death of Louis Caravaque Tocco was invited to St. Petersburg by Elizabeth, where 1756-1758 wrote several portraits of the Empress, as well as many portraits of the Russian nobility. After Russia Tocco worked for some time in Copenhagen, and on his return to Paris in 1759 was soon abandoned painting. Its ceremonial representative of the composition as a whole are reminiscent of the portraits of Rigaud, but still represent a more sensitive and restrained version of this official genre.

French painter, portraitist, pupil and son-in-law of the painter nattier, a brilliant representative of the Rococo. The court painter.

He studied first at N. Bertin and nattier. In his youth he began to exhibit his work at the Paris salon, each time with great success, and was honored to paint portraits of the Queen, the Dauphin and his wife, which gave him fame not only in France but also abroad.

In 1731, he was already numbered with the Paris Academy, and in 1734 the full member. Tocco worked more from life than nattier, and his attention to detail helped him to convey the personality of the model. His portraits are more natural and easier. Tocco honored hierarchy of genres, tending to the intimate portrait features, and use traditional forms of composition front Rigaud. In a speech at an academic conference in 1750, he recommended that the portrait artists to capture favorable conditions, giving the face prettiness.

Louis Tocqué entered the history of art as a brilliant master of the ceremonial portrait. In his work with the penciled composition characteristics of the model, sometimes hidden behind a decorative embellishment, scrutiny of the artist to suit his parts. The portraits are always distinguished by tocca clear picture, and the artist is always unmistakably impressive is his model. Despite the French origins, learned in Paris from Bertin and Nattier school art Tocco is European. Portrait of Maria Leszczynski, Queen of France, was executed by the artist in the early period of his creativity when he was working at the court of Louis XV, gained fame and glory.

Current he worked mainly in Paris, but in 1756-1758 was invited to the Russian Chancellor Vorontsov to paint the portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.

In 1756 appeared in St. Petersburg. and held it for eighteen months, during which he performed several portraits of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. Two of them, upright, in the Romanov gallery of the Winter Palace and Great Palace, Tsarskoe Selo, one knee in the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoye Selo and the other knee — in the Palace of Versailles near Paris.

In Russia, he triumphantly sang also portraits of distinguished persons - gr. K. G. Razumovsky, gr. I. G. Chernyshev and others.

While working at the Russian court enjoyed tremendous success there. Inherent Tocco art of painting, fine cold silvery colors had a significant influence on the formation of such Russian artists as Rokotov and Levitsky.

On the way back from Russia to Paris, where he returned in 1760, he stopped in Copenhagen and wrote portraits of the Danish king, the Queens and some princes of their house. In 1769 again visited Copenhagen, and was elected a member of the local Academy. In Paris, he returned in 1759, but soon abandoned painting classes. Other famous works: "Madame d"Angers, wife of General Francois Balthazar d"Angers Dupe". 1753. The Louvre, Paris; "Portrait of Madame Duigan". Carnavalet Museum, Paris; "Portrait of Countess E. A. Golovkina". 1757. Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.

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