17th and 18th century paintings at the Palais des Beaux Arts in Lille

17th Century Flemmish paintings

Le Dénombrement de Bethléem – Census at Bethlehem by Pieter Brueghel II the Younger (Brussels, 1564 – Anvers 1638)

According to the label for this painting, there are 13 different versions around the theme of this painting. In this case, the biblical story is transposed to a village when the tax had to be paid.

It is interesting to compare Brueghel II the Younger’s style with Rubens’ style. I always thought of Brueghel as coming before Rubens, but they were in fact contemporaries. I suppose that Brueghel the Younger was ridding the wave of success created by his father, Brueghel the Elder, and carried on painting in the style of the former generation.

Descente de Croix - Descent from the Cross - Oil on canvas by Peter Paul Rubens (Siegen - Wesphalie, 1577 - Anvers, 1640)

This work was painted around 1617 for the main altar of the Capucins’ covent of Lille. There is a complex flow between the different figures around Jesus, positionned along a diagonal line from the top left corner to the right bottom corner. Notice how all the women are gathered within the left triangle below the Christ.

Saint Bonaventure - Oil on canvas by Peter Paul Rubens (Siegen - Wesphalie, 1577 - Anvers, 1640)

Le Christ en Croix – Christ on the cross by Anton van Dyck (Anvers, 1599 - Blackfriar’s - England), 1641)

This work was painted for the main altar of the covent of the Récollets in Lille. It was painted after van Dyck returned from Italy in 1627 and before he went to London in 1632.

18th century French painting

Les Apprêts d’un déjeuner, dit Le Gobelet d’argent – The silver goblet - Oil on canvas (around 1730) by Jean Siméon Chardin (Paris, 1699 - Paris, 1779)

This still life painting has been carefully composed by Chardin within a triangle. The depth is suggested by the protubing knife and the two steps. The palette is characteristic of Chardin. The silver goblet, with its harmonious shape can be seen in several other still life paintings by the artist (See Still life paintings by Jean Siméon Chardin).

  

The museum

The museum is located on the Place de la République – 59000 – Lille – France

Postal address : 18bis rue de Valmy – 59000 – Lille – France

http://www.pba-lille.fr/

Opening hours 

• Monday, 2pm – 6pm
• Closed Tuesday
• Wednesday to Sunday, 10am – 6pm
• Tickets sold until one half hour before closing

Closed: 1 January, 1 May, 14 July, the first weekend of September (braderie de Lille), 1 November, and 25 December

Summer hours (July and August):

• Monday, 12pm – 5pm
• Closed Tuesday
• Wednesday to Sunday, 12am – 5pm

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