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François Desportes

1661 - 1743

Desportes trained in Paris in the Flemish tradition of animal painting. In 1695 he accepted an invitation from the French ambassador to Poland to paint royal portraits at the Polish court. In 1700 he became the official painter of animals and hunting scenes to the French kings, Louis XIV and Louis XV.

Desportes also painted a variety of still lifes and tapestry cartoons, and is noted for his landscape studies made directly from nature. He is credited with helping to popularise Flemish art, which was influential in the development of the Rococo style in France.