Louis Laguerre

Psyche Giving Gifts to her Sisters, 1700-1720, Louis Laguerre V&A Museum no. 727-1877

Louis Laguerre (1663-1721) was a French decorative painter mainly working in England.

Born in Versailles in 1663 and trained at the Paris Academy under Charles Le Brun, he came to England in 1683, where he first worked with Antonio Verrio, and then on his own. He rivalled with Sir James Thornhill in the field of history painting, primarily decorating the great houses of the nobility. His wall paintings can be found in Marlborough House, Petworth House, Chatsworth House, and Blenheim Palace. Alexander Pope said,

On painted ceilings you devoutly stare
Where sprawl the saints of Verrio or Laguerre.

Laguerre was also a director of Godfrey Kneller's London Academy of drawing and painting, founded in the autumn of 1711. He died in London on April 20, 1721.

See also English school of painting