LOO, Charles-Amédée-Philippe van
(b. 1719, Rivoli, d. 1795, Paris)

Biography

French painter (also known as Amédée Van Loo), part of a family of artists of Flemish origin. He studied under his father, the painter Jean-Baptiste van Loo. The young student's training adhered to traditional workshop practice with its emphasis on the copying of old masters. From this initial period of study, he quickly moved to the French Academy. In 1738, he won the Prix de Rome, which took him to Italy for three years during which time he also visited Naples and Florence. On his return to France, Amédée settled with his father in Aix-en-Provence for a period of three years.

In 1748, his uncle Carle van Loo was invited to the Prussian court of Frederick the Great. Due to Carle's other obligations his young nephew went in his stead. During the first of his two extended stays in Berlin, Amédée produced portraits of Frederick and members of his court, as well as paintings of a variety of subjects and genres. Among the most important of his commissions were mythological ceiling paintings in several palaces at Potsdam. Amédée's style was influenced by Lancret and Watteau.

In 1759, Amédée returned to Paris. Until 1763, when he again left France for Berlin, he regularly exhibited at the Salons. During his second period in Berlin, lasting until 1769, he was fascinated with optical themes.

During his final period of activity he was professor at the École des beaux-arts in Paris, and he was interested in contemporary scientific culture.