Francois-Hubert Drouais

François-Hubert Drouais , 1727-75, French painter, a follower of François Boucher, whose style he imitated. Under the patronage of the court he painted portraits of Louis XV, Mme Du Barry, Mme de Pompadour, and many others. He is best known for his portraits of children. His Count of Artois and His Sister is in the Louvre.

Drouais, François-Hubert (b Paris, 14 Dec. 1727; d Paris, 21 Oct. 1675). French portrait painter. He trained under Boucher (among others) and became a rival to Nattier as a fashionable portraitist. His portraits have a gracious and artificial charm and at their best bear comparison with those of Boucher. He was particularly successful with children, but his best-known painting is probably the very grand portrait of Mme de Pompadour in the National Gallery, London (1763–4), completed after the sitter's death. His father and his son were painters. Hubert Drouais (1699–1767) had a successful career as a miniaturist and pastel portraitist. Jean-Germain Drouais (1763–88) was David's favourite pupil and won the Prix de Rome in 1784; David regarded him as his greatest potential rival (‘He alone could trouble my sleep’), but he died of smallpox aged 24.

Drouais, François-Hubert (1727–75). French portrait painter. He trained under Boucher (among others) and became a rival to Nattier as a fashionable portraitist. His portraits have a gracious and artificial charm and at their best bear comparison with those of Boucher. He was particularly successful with children, but his best-known painting is probably the very grand portrait of Mme de Pompadour in the National Gallery, London (1763–4), completed after the sitter's death. His father and his son were painters. Hubert Drouais (1699–1767) had a successful career as a miniaturist and pastel portraitist. Germain Drouais (1763–88) was J.-L. David's favourite pupil and won the Prix de Rome in 1784; David regarded him as his greatest potential rival (‘He alone could trouble my sleep’), but he died of smallpox aged 24.