Jean-Marc Nattier was a French painter born on March 17, 1685, in Paris, France. He came from a family of artists and was the son of Marc Nattier, a portraitist, and the grandson of a court painter. Jean-Marc Nattier received his early artistic training from his father and later from other established painters such as Nicolas de Largillière.
Nattier gained early recognition for his talent, and in 1700, at the age of 15, he was awarded a prize from the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. Despite this early success, Nattier struggled to secure a stable career, and his early work consisted primarily of engravings and draftsmanship.
His fortunes changed in the 1730s when he became known for his portraits of the French aristocracy. Nattier's elegant and refined style, which combined mythological themes with portraiture, was particularly fashionable among the ladies of the court. He portrayed his subjects in the guise of mythological figures, a style known as 'portrait historié', which became his signature approach.
One of his most famous works is the 'Mademoiselle de Clermont at her Bath', portraying Louise Élisabeth de Bourbon, a member of the royal family, as a classical nymph. This painting exemplifies Nattier's ability to blend the grandeur of history painting with the intimacy of portraiture.
Jean-Marc Nattier became an official court painter to King Louis XV, and his popularity soared. He was received as a member of the Royal Academy in 1718 and later became an assistant professor and then a professor. Despite his success, Nattier's later years were marked by financial difficulties. His style eventually fell out of favor, and he died in poverty on November 7, 1766.
Throughout his career, Nattier managed to capture the elegance and sophistication of the French court. His legacy includes a vast collection of portraits that provide a window into the fashions and personalities of the 18th-century French nobility. Today, his works are displayed in many major museums around the world, including the Louvre in Paris and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.
