Philippe Mercier grew up in Berlin as a child of French immigrants. He studied at the Berlin Art Academy under the German court painter Antoine Pesne and probably worked as his assistant. Later he studied in Paris, where his style was influenced by Jean Baptiste Chardin and Jean-Antoine Watteau. In the 18th century Mercier finally moved to England, where he married twice. His second wife, Dorothy Clapham, was also a painter and ran an art supplies business. There is evidence that she supported Philippe Mercier in his work. During his time in London, Mercier was still in contact with Jean-Antoine Watteau. He reproduced some of Watteau's works as etchings, which he then printed. At that time he also traded in art and art prints, the reproductions were for sale. Mercier also reproduced his own works, and art historians found evidence that he sometimes issued them as paintings by Watteau.
In London, Mercier was employed as court painter at the British Royal Court for several years. During this period he painted several portraits of English nobles. However, Philippe Mercier was not the only court painter. He had to compete with Christian Zincke and Herman van der Myn and this period was marked by jealousy and strife. After he was dismissed as court painter, Mercier turned his back on London and moved to the small town of York. There he found members of the upper class who supported his art. Here he painted many portraits, but also the first of the so-called Fancy Pictures. Fancy Pictures are pictures of everyday scenes that are supplemented by invented elements, so that they appeal to the emotions and often trigger sentimental feelings. Mercier finally returned to London a few years before his death.
Besides portraits, Philippe Mercier often painted conversation pieces. These are paintings that depict people in company, at activities and celebrations. He introduced the genre of the conversation piece to England, where it was not yet widespread. It is also interesting to note that Mercier depicted the five senses of man - sense of smell, sense of taste, sight, touch and hearing. For example, in the picture "the sense of touch" you can see people stroking a cat. Several of Mercier's paintings were reproduced as engravings and thus gained further recognition and popularity. In his late period, Mercier devoted himself mainly to Fancy Pictures, many of which he created as a variation on the conversation piece. Many of Philippe Mercier's paintings do not simply depict people in a landscape or an apartment, they tell stories.
Philippe Mercier grew up in Berlin as a child of French immigrants. He studied at the Berlin Art Academy under the German court painter Antoine Pesne and probably worked as his assistant. Later he studied in Paris, where his style was influenced by Jean Baptiste Chardin and Jean-Antoine Watteau. In the 18th century Mercier finally moved to England, where he married twice. His second wife, Dorothy Clapham, was also a painter and ran an art supplies business. There is evidence that she supported Philippe Mercier in his work. During his time in London, Mercier was still in contact with Jean-Antoine Watteau. He reproduced some of Watteau's works as etchings, which he then printed. At that time he also traded in art and art prints, the reproductions were for sale. Mercier also reproduced his own works, and art historians found evidence that he sometimes issued them as paintings by Watteau.
In London, Mercier was employed as court painter at the British Royal Court for several years. During this period he painted several portraits of English nobles. However, Philippe Mercier was not the only court painter. He had to compete with Christian Zincke and Herman van der Myn and this period was marked by jealousy and strife. After he was dismissed as court painter, Mercier turned his back on London and moved to the small town of York. There he found members of the upper class who supported his art. Here he painted many portraits, but also the first of the so-called Fancy Pictures. Fancy Pictures are pictures of everyday scenes that are supplemented by invented elements, so that they appeal to the emotions and often trigger sentimental feelings. Mercier finally returned to London a few years before his death.
Besides portraits, Philippe Mercier often painted conversation pieces. These are paintings that depict people in company, at activities and celebrations. He introduced the genre of the conversation piece to England, where it was not yet widespread. It is also interesting to note that Mercier depicted the five senses of man - sense of smell, sense of taste, sight, touch and hearing. For example, in the picture "the sense of touch" you can see people stroking a cat. Several of Mercier's paintings were reproduced as engravings and thus gained further recognition and popularity. In his late period, Mercier devoted himself mainly to Fancy Pictures, many of which he created as a variation on the conversation piece. Many of Philippe Mercier's paintings do not simply depict people in a landscape or an apartment, they tell stories.
Page 1 / 1