One of the most gifted painters of the Royal Manufactory of porcelain in the 18th century, Charles Nicolas Dodin, whose works during his lifetime and in the following century were sought after by the greatest collectors.
From 16 May to 9 September 2012, the palace of Versailles presents the exhibition The Splendour of painting on porcelain. Charles Nicolas Dodin and the Vincennes-Sèvres Manufactory in the 18th century in the apartments of Madame de Maintenon and in the King’s Guardroom.
This exhibition is consecrated to one of the most gifted painters of the Royal Manufactory of porcelain in the 18th century, Charles Nicolas Dodin, whose works during his lifetime and in the following century were sought after by the greatest collectors of porcelain. The exhibition seeks to highlight both the artistic evolution and the diversity of the sources of inspiration of Charles Nicolas Dodin.
During forty-nine years spent working at the Manufactory, Dodin contributed to the most outstanding commissions produced for the kings and their entourage, in particular the mistresses of Louis XV, and for foreign rulers such as Catherine II of Russia. Through these prestigious works, the exhibition retraces the enlightening artistic evolution of Dodin’s career, as clearly signposted as that of a contemporary easel painter.
It also throws light on the diversity of Dodin’s sources of inspiration by presenting engravings and paintings that inspired him. These works show the very profound correspondences which existed between the arts (paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, medals, ceramics) in the second half of the 18th century and the extraordinary artistic emulation that they fostered.
Dodin was essentially, as was said in the 18th century, a painter "in miniature", or a painter of “figures”, which meant that his talents were devoted to the most prestigious genre in the hierarchy of the Manufactory. His works were eagerly sought to be included in the most celebrated collections of works of art, notably in the palace of Versailles, where they still featured a century later.
Chateau de Versailles
Place d'Armes - Versailles
9-18