Charles-Michel-Ange Challe

The painter, architectural draughtsman and printmaker, Charles-Michel-Ange Challe, received his training from Jean André, François Lemoyne and François Boucher. Challe was awarded the coveted Prix de Rome in 1741 and was a scholarship holder at the Académie de France in Rome from 1742 to 1749. The years the artist spent in the city were to prove decisive for his future artistic career. He frequented a circle of like-minded young French art students – the Piranésiens, as they were called – whose imaginary architectural capriccios evoked the grandeur of ancient Rome.

A highly prolific draughtsman, Challe became quite well known for his drawings of southern landscapes, festive decorations and fantastic architectural scenes à la Piranesi. His etchings, by contrast, are of the utmost rarity. He produced just the two present prints of mythological scenes, Diane au bain and Nymphe au bain. The etchings, which date to his early years in Rome, are treated in a very light and animated drawing style and radiate great spontaneity. The formative influence of the French Rococo is unmistakable, however. Fine impressions with even thread margins; the Diana somewhat stronger and more distinct. Minor ageing, otherwise in excellent condition. The Nymph from the collection of Robert Dumesnil (Lugt 2200), the Diana from the collection of Agostino Caini, Mailand (Lugt 426).