The animal and landscape painter Jaques-Laurent Agasse was born in Switzerland. Agasse spent his childhood in Geneva. His parents were followers of the Calvinist faith and probably settled in Geneva due to the persecution of French Protestants. Jacques-Laurent grew up in a privileged environment. It was at the Geneva drawing school that Agasse received his first art training. However, the public school was very much oriented towards a craft education, with its main focus on watchmaking. Jacques went to Paris and intensified his training in the studio of a history painter. A form of painting and a genre that the young artist did not enjoy. Without further ado, he devoted himself to veterinary medicine and studied animal anatomy at a school for veterinarians and at the Natural History Museum. With the outbreak of the French Revolution, the painter returned to his hometown.
Back in Geneva, Agasse teamed up with the painters Firmin Massot and Wolfgang Adam Töpffer. The three had been friends since their youth. Jaques-Laurent had lost his fortune due to the effects of the French Revolution and had to rely on earning his living. The three artists painted landscapes together. The friends painted the richly animated scenes outdoors, capturing the play of light and shadow. Each of the painters took on the part he was best at during the making. Agasse probably painted the animals, while the landscape and people were depicted by his friends. The group of painters became the most important representatives of the Geneva School with their landscape paintings.
An accident is said to have been the occasion that would make Jaques-Laurent Agasse a well-known and successful animal painter. The rich British nobleman and later Lord Rivers was a guest in Geneva. Here he lost his favourite dog in a tragic accident. In memory of the animal, Lord Rivers commissioned the still unknown painter Agasse to create a portrait of the animal. The future lord was impressed and asked Agasse to go with him to England. The nobleman was the owner of numerous horses and greyhounds and Jacques-Laurent was to paint these animals. With the support of Lord Rivers, Agasse established himself as an animal painter in London. The painter became particularly famous for his depictions of horses and dogs. Agasse expanded his repertoire and began to depict wild and exotic animals. The painter acquired his detailed knowledge during visits to the London menageries. Jacques-Laurent had very successful years and lived an artistic life in which he was completely absorbed in his painting. Agasse devoted himself to portraiture, made scientific illustrations, and painted some city scenes of London. With his diligence he earned his living, but he did not succeed in accumulating riches. At the time of his death, the painter was penniless. The proceeds from his remaining works in the studio covered the cost of the painter's funeral.
The animal and landscape painter Jaques-Laurent Agasse was born in Switzerland. Agasse spent his childhood in Geneva. His parents were followers of the Calvinist faith and probably settled in Geneva due to the persecution of French Protestants. Jacques-Laurent grew up in a privileged environment. It was at the Geneva drawing school that Agasse received his first art training. However, the public school was very much oriented towards a craft education, with its main focus on watchmaking. Jacques went to Paris and intensified his training in the studio of a history painter. A form of painting and a genre that the young artist did not enjoy. Without further ado, he devoted himself to veterinary medicine and studied animal anatomy at a school for veterinarians and at the Natural History Museum. With the outbreak of the French Revolution, the painter returned to his hometown.
Back in Geneva, Agasse teamed up with the painters Firmin Massot and Wolfgang Adam Töpffer. The three had been friends since their youth. Jaques-Laurent had lost his fortune due to the effects of the French Revolution and had to rely on earning his living. The three artists painted landscapes together. The friends painted the richly animated scenes outdoors, capturing the play of light and shadow. Each of the painters took on the part he was best at during the making. Agasse probably painted the animals, while the landscape and people were depicted by his friends. The group of painters became the most important representatives of the Geneva School with their landscape paintings.
An accident is said to have been the occasion that would make Jaques-Laurent Agasse a well-known and successful animal painter. The rich British nobleman and later Lord Rivers was a guest in Geneva. Here he lost his favourite dog in a tragic accident. In memory of the animal, Lord Rivers commissioned the still unknown painter Agasse to create a portrait of the animal. The future lord was impressed and asked Agasse to go with him to England. The nobleman was the owner of numerous horses and greyhounds and Jacques-Laurent was to paint these animals. With the support of Lord Rivers, Agasse established himself as an animal painter in London. The painter became particularly famous for his depictions of horses and dogs. Agasse expanded his repertoire and began to depict wild and exotic animals. The painter acquired his detailed knowledge during visits to the London menageries. Jacques-Laurent had very successful years and lived an artistic life in which he was completely absorbed in his painting. Agasse devoted himself to portraiture, made scientific illustrations, and painted some city scenes of London. With his diligence he earned his living, but he did not succeed in accumulating riches. At the time of his death, the painter was penniless. The proceeds from his remaining works in the studio covered the cost of the painter's funeral.
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