Artibus et Historiae no. 22 (XI)
1990, ISSN 0391-9064Up
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PIERRE ROSENBERG - A Polish Follower of Le Brun: Alexandre Ubelesqui
In this article in honor of the late Jan Białostocki, the author investigates the long-forgotten career of Alexandre Ubelesqui, a Parisian-born artist of Polish origin who was active in Rome from 1673 until his death in 1718. Although information on his family background appears to be all but nonexistent, it is possible to trace Ubelesqui's artistic development from his training at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Paris and the French Academy in Rome, to his appointment as a professor at the Accademia di San Luca in 1695, and his participation in numerous exhibitions.
From the paintings and drawings which the author has rediscovered, Ubelesqui's style can nów be defined. He is shown to have been a skillful draughtsman and deft narrator, highly versatile in his choice of subjects and techniques. A loyal collaborator of Charles Le Brun, after the master's death in 1690, Ubelesqui assured himself a place among the painters of his time, in the shadow of La Fosse, Jouvenet, Boulogne, and Coypel.
