COYPEL, CHARLES-ANTOINE

born July 11, 1694, Paris died March 14, 1752, Paris French painter and engraver whose major achievements were in teaching and in the administration at the Royal Academy, where he served as director with zeal and distinction. Coypel's first teacher was his father, Antoine, whose somewhat stiff artistic style he perpetuated. Upon the death of his father in 1722, Charles inherited the elder Coypel's painting and design responsibilities at court, became the chief painter of the Duke of Orlans, and received lodging at the Louvre, which he retained until his death. In 1747 he became the director of the Royal Academy and chief painter of the king. Coypel's masterpiece was a large work portraying scenes from Don Quixote (1716). He also received several commissions for the chteau of Versailles and for the chapel of Trianon; and he worked for the King's mistress, Madame de Pompadour. In 1747 Coypel received a commission for tapestries for the Queen of Poland, a series of scenes from various plays. Coypel also painted portraits of Louis XV, the Duke of Orlans, and other political and religious figures; he also painted actors. Many of his works lack vigor and originality, and his paintings often reflect a theatrical influence but little study of nature. Coypel is also noteworthy for his writings, which include prose, verse, two tragedies, and several comedies; his greatest literary achievements are his critiques, written in 1747 and 1751, of the works on exhibit at the Louvre.