Jean Pierre Tassaert Paintings

Jean Pierre Tassaert was a Flemish sculptor born in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1727. Although born in the Southern Netherlands, he spent a significant portion of his career in France, becoming known for his work during the Rococo period, a style that was characterized by elaborate and ornate decoration. Tassaert came from an artistic family, his father, Jean-Pierre Tassaert the Elder, was a painter, and his uncle was the sculptor Jean-Pierre-Antoine Tassaert, which likely influenced his early exposure to the arts.

In the early stages of his career, Tassaert worked in his hometown, but his ambition led him to Paris, where he became a pupil of the renowned sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle. Under Pigalle's guidance, Tassaert honed his skills and embraced the Rococo style, which was falling out of favor at the time but still provided him with opportunities to showcase his talent.

Tassaert achieved a degree of success in Paris, receiving commissions from various patrons. However, his works, which included both religious and mythological subjects, never quite placed him at the forefront of the French art scene. Despite this, he was admitted to the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1769, reflecting a recognition of his skills and contributions to the art world.

One of his most notable works is the marble sculpture 'Pygmalion and Galatea', which is considered a fine example of his craftsmanship and attention to detail. This piece reflects the tale from Ovid's Metamorphoses and showcases Tassaert's ability to capture the tenderness and emotion of the narrative through his work. Tassaert's works are characterized by a dynamic and flowing movement, typical of the Rococo style, and an attention to anatomical precision.

Jean Pierre Tassaert remained in Paris for the rest of his life and died there in 1788. Though he never achieved the fame of some of his contemporaries, his work is still appreciated by art historians and connoisseurs for its craftsmanship and representation of the Rococo style. Tassaert's legacy is also preserved through the works of his son, Nicolas François Octave Tassaert, who became a notable painter in his own right.