Artibus et Historiae no. 20 (X)
1989, ISSN 0391-9064Up
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CARLO DEL BRAVO - The Le Nain Brothers and Pierre Charron
Nearly all the paintings by the Le Nain brothers appear to contain an iconological meaning that is somehow related to the Stoicism of Pierre Charron (1541-1603). A few characteristic examples are: Arianna, representing the intervention of Providence; the so-called "Allegory of Victory" - which, according to Ripa, is actually Truth Vanquishing Deceit - exalting the power of Truth; and the pictures of simple people shown at work or having a meal, surrounded by carefree children and domestic animals, often in rural settings, which seem to be saying that social calm is possible when the poverty of the labourers is not extreme, as well as portraying the benefits of a freer upbringing, the innocence of country life and, according to Charron, of animals.
The rarefied language used by Charron to defend his values is a long way from the "power of reality" with which Champfleury in 1860 would credit the Le Nain brothers (since discussed by S. Meltzoff from a historical point of view).
