Nicolas Lagneau
Encyclopedia
Nicolas Lagneau was a French draftsman noted for his portrait drawings. He was especially interested in grotesque
physiognomies
, which he drew in meticulous detail either from models or from his imagination. His drawings are usually executed in black and red chalk, sometimes with the addition of blue or yellow gouache
. In their heightened realism, and their emphasis on facial expressions, wrinkles, and deformities, Lagneau's portraits reveal the influence of Rembrandt's early works.
Lagneau is not known to have painted. His drawings, which were widely copied and imitated in his time, are plentiful in French and US museums.
Grotesque
The word grotesque comes from the same Latin root as "Grotto", meaning a small cave or hollow. The original meaning was restricted to an extravagant style of Ancient Roman decorative art rediscovered and then copied in Rome at the end of the 15th century...
physiognomies
Physiognomy
Physiognomy is the assessment of a person's character or personality from their outer appearance, especially the face...
, which he drew in meticulous detail either from models or from his imagination. His drawings are usually executed in black and red chalk, sometimes with the addition of blue or yellow gouache
Gouache
Gouache[p], also spelled guache, the name of which derives from the Italian guazzo, water paint, splash or bodycolor is a type of paint consisting of pigment suspended in water. A binding agent, usually gum arabic, is also present, just as in watercolor...
. In their heightened realism, and their emphasis on facial expressions, wrinkles, and deformities, Lagneau's portraits reveal the influence of Rembrandt's early works.
Lagneau is not known to have painted. His drawings, which were widely copied and imitated in his time, are plentiful in French and US museums.