Medaillon in Compigné representing a river dominated by a paddlewheel mill

Medaillon in Compigné representing a river dominated by a paddlewheel mill - Image 3

Medaillon in Compigné representing a river dominated by a paddlewheel mill - Image 4

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Description
Histoire

France, second half of the 18^th century

Attributed to Thomas Compigné

Pewter, gold, silver, gouache, colored varnishes

Diameter: 17,2 cm – 6 ⁵⁄₈ inches

Diameter (with frame): 17,8 cm – 7 inches

This small medallion in stamped pewter leaf, enhanced with gold, gouache and colored varnish, depicts a landscape scene. In the left foreground, an undulating tree dominates the composition. At the foot of the tree, a couple are seated near a stream. They slightly overlook a second standing couple, accompanied by a child, dominated on the right by a seated man. The river behind is the setting for various activities. Thus, in the background on the right, two figures on a boat moor to the shore, while the composition is dominated behind by an imposing paddlewheel mill whose various details are subtly rendered by micro-engravings stamped in pewter and enhanced with gold. A second building can be seen behind this mill, with its imposing roof highlighted in bluish silver. Two figures on the shoreline reveal the silhouette of a village in the distance, dominated by a bell tower. The sky unfolds against a pinkish, then bluish and cloudy background.

Paintings in Compigné

Of great preciousity and variety of materials, the paintings in Compigné were made according to a mysterious process starting from a sheet of tortoiseshell or carboard paper to which a pewter or gold leaf was applied. The surface could then be decorated with gold, silver, gouache and coloured varnishes. These “miniatures”, known today under the name of Compigné, had a great success in the 1760s.The small format, characteristic of this production, required to work in extreme precision, probably with the help of a magnifying glass, to develop the perfection of these technical details and colours.

Thomas Compigné

Arrived from Italy, probably around 1750, Thomas Compigni took the name Compigné when he settled under the sign of “Roi David”, Rue Greneta, in Paris. As an ivory turner, he specialised in the manufacture and sale of boxes, knitting sets, draughts and chess sets, snuffboxes and other cane handles of blond tortoiseshell inlaid with gold. Renowned for the quality of his objects, he passed on to posterity through the production of precious paintings whose technique remains mysterious today. In 1773, he presented two views of the Château de Saint-Hubert to the King and obtained the title of “tabletier privilégié du Roi” under Louis xv and Louis xvi. His preferred themes are most often views of towns, monuments and castles from the perspective of parks or landscapes animated by small characters.

Bibliography :

Plaisir de France, « Les Compignés et leurs créateurs, ces délicats chefs‑d’œuvre de la tabletterie au xviii^e siècle », n° 427, March 1975.

Compigné, peintre et tabletier du Roy, catalogue d’exposition, Grasse, Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard, June-July 1991.