#french school

The Temple of Minerva Medica (French School, 16th-20th Century)

oil on canvas, first half of 18th century

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Hylas and a Nymph (c. 1826) by the French School (19th century), monogram ‘J.L’ (bottom right), oil on canvas, Private Collection

Unknown artist of the French School, Salon of Hortense de Beauharnais at Arenenberg, undated, oil on canvas.

This dramatic picture focuses on the deposition of Christ from the Cross, a common scene in Baroque art. The artist has used both positioning of the figures and variation in color to draw the eye to the central action. As Christ is lowered, retaining the position with outstretched arms that he had been forced to maintain while crucified, the apostle John (with green undershirt and red-orange robe) reaches up toward him. At left, the Virgin Mary swoons, her blue garment standing out against the subdued colors of the figure behind her. At right, an unknown figure weeps.

The Temple, a medieval fortress in Paris by French School