Meekness
Eustache Le Sueur·1650
Historical Context
Eustache Le Sueur's Meekness from 1650 is a panel depicting one of the theological virtues, likely from a decorative series. Le Sueur, known as the French Raphael, was one of the most important painters of mid-17th-century Paris, developing a classical style that balanced Poussin's intellectual rigor with a gentler, more accessible grace. His premature death at 38 cut short one of the most promising careers in French painting.
Technical Analysis
Le Sueur's oil-on-panel technique demonstrates his characteristic smooth, refined surface with clear, cool colors and idealized figure types. The gentle expression and harmonious composition reflect the classical grace that earned him comparison to Raphael among French critics.
Provenance
Commissioned by Guillaume Brissonnet (died 1674) in 1650 for the chapel of his Paris town house [according to Guillet de Saint-Georges [1690], p. 164]; by descent to his son, Jean Baptiste Brissonnet (died 1698) [the early history of the house and its chapel decorations is recounted by Mérot 1987, pp.244-5]; sold with the house to Vincent d'Invault, 1698; sold to Jacques Turgot (died 1722), maître des Requêtes, 1714; by descent in 1757 to Anne Robert Jacques Turgot (died 1781); in 1775 the house was sold and the decorations dismantled; at Turgot's death, the paintings passed to his heirs including Etienne François Turgot, marquis de Sousmont, to at least 1784. Vincent Donjeux, Paris; sold LeBrun et Paillet, Paris, April 29 and following, 1793, lot 330, with "Justice," for 1,550 livres to Jouberton. Lafontaine, Paris; sold Chariot, Paris, May 28-June 2, 1821, lot 128 with "Justice", as "L'Innocence," for Fr 480. M. de Mauméjan, Paris; sold Lacoste, Paris, June 29-July 2, 1825, lot 40, with "Justice" as "L'Innocence." Jean Toussaint Arrighi de Casanova, duc de Padoue (died 1853), château de Courson-Monteloup (Essonne); by decent to Ernest Louis Hyacinthe Arrigi de Casanova, duc de Padoue (died 1888); by descent to his great grandson comte Ernest de Caraman, Châeau de Courson (died 1958) [the later descent of "Justice" and "Mansuétude" is given by Mérot 1987, p. 247]. Sold Hôtel Drouot, Paris, December 4, 1967, lot 81, to Comte de Gramont, as school of Eustache Le Sueur, "La Charité." Heim Gallery, London by 1974; sold to the Art Institute, 1974.
