Artists

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  Croesus Receiving Tribute from a Lydian Peasant $AU 265.84 ~ 1,416.32
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  Esther before Ahasuerus $AU 261.50 ~ 967.72

Clude Bignon (1593 Tours-1670 Paris) learned his craft in the studio of Jacob Bunel. In 1616 he was accepted into the Parisian painters' guild as a master. Although his biographer, Guillet de saint-Georges, reported that Vignon went to Rome in 1609, based on stylistic information scholars now believe his Italian journey began somewhat later, probably in 1616. He returned to France by way of Spain in 1624. Vignon's reputation in Paris was great, as can be seen in part by his eight imposing "May pictures", commissioned by the Parisian goldsmiths' guild for the Cathedral of Notre Dame. He was held in equally high regard at the courts of Europe, especially by Ludwig XIII (1601-1643), Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642) and Maria de' Medici (1573-1642). Vignon himself possessed an extensive art collection; Among his acquisitions were works by Nicolas Poussin, Claude Lorrain, Adrianen Brouwer, Willem Kalf, Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt. He was also active as an art dealer and bought paintings for the French queen in Italy and Spain. In 1635 he was appointed a professor at the Academie Royale de Peinture et Sculpture. Significant works by the artist include Martyrdom of St. Matthew, 1617, Musee Municipal, Arras; Esther and Ahasuerus, 1624, Musee du Louvre, Paris; and The Washing of the Feet, 1653, Musee des Beaux-Arts, Nantes.