Hyacinthe Rigaud (July 20, 1659-December 27, 1743) was a French painter.

He was born Híacint Francesc Honrat Mathias Pere Martyr Andreu Joan Rigau, in Perpignan, which became French a short time after his birth (November 7 1659).

In 1682, he was awarded the Prix de Rome.

He was the most important portrait painter in the reign of King Louis XIV. His instinct for impressive poses and grand presentations precisely suited the tastes of the royal personages, ambassadors, clerics, courtiers, and financiers who sat for him.

Rigaud's paintings captured very exact likenesses and along with the subject's costumes and background details, his paintings are precise records of contemporary fashions. Rigaud's best-known work is his 1701 painting of Louis XIV which today hangs in the Louvre in Paris.

In 1709 he was made a noble by his hometown of Perpignan. In 1727 he was a made a knight of the Order of Saint Michael.

Hyacinthe Rigaud died in Paris, France on December 27, 1743.

1659 births | 1743 deaths | French painters | Portrait artists

Hyacinthe Rigaud | Hyacinthe Rigaud | Hyacinthe Rigaud | Hyacinthe Rigaud | Hyacinthe Rigaud