Un collectionneur parisien, ami de Greuze et de Pigalle, l'abbé Louis Gougenot (1724-1767)

Abbe Gougenot, whose family had connections with the Conde family, was recognized as the protector of Greuze when he invited- the latter, as a young artist recently accepted (agree) by the Academy, to travel to Italy with him in the years 1755-1756. It is interesting to note that Abbe Gougenot, known primarily as a patron of Greuze, also remained until his death a close friend of the sculptor Pigalle, from whom he ordered several works. These included the Gougenot family monument at the church of the Cordeliers in Paris, a fact which puts an end to the "legend" according to which it was carved by the sculptor out of pure generosity. Abbe Gougenot also assisted Pigalle as iconographic adviser. Abbe Gougenot's extreme interest in art is also attested by his work as a theorist that he kept a close secret, and by his activities at the French Royal Academy to which he was appointed independent associate in 1756. In connection with these activities, he wrote biographies of famous artists, including painters Oudry and Galloche, sculptors Le Lorrain and Coustou the Younger and the engraver Du Vivier. We examined the Abbott's will, his inventory after death, his publications and his manuscripts, as well as other archives. We were also able to consult his "Annales", a sort of family chronicle, and the extensive volumes of his "Journey to Italy", still in the hands of his descendants, who very kindly gave us right of access and publication. We have thus been able to piece Abbe Gougenot's collection together and reveal the threefold personality of this higly interesting example of an 18th Century collector, who was also a theorist and a patron of the arts. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.