Joseph-Benoît Suvée

Joseph-Benoît Suvée studied at Academy of Fine Arts Bruges. Augustin van den Berghe, Cornelis Cels and Jean-Bernard Duvivier are recorded as having studied under Joseph-Benoît Suvée. the recorded working language is French and Dutch. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are history. Jacques-Louis David is recorded as an influence. Places of work recorded in the authority are Bruges, Paris and Rome. Positions recorded include director. Works named in the authority record are Academic life drawing study: seated male nude. Work by Joseph-Benoît Suvée is recorded in the collections of Minneapolis Institute of Art, J. Paul Getty Museum, Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, Museum of Fine Arts Ghent (MSK) and Groeningemuseum. Distinctions recorded are Prix de Rome and Knight of the Legion of Honour.

• Name — Joseph-Benoît Suvée • Born — 3 January 1743 • Birthplace — Bruges, Austrian Netherlands • Died — 9 February 1807 • Place of death — Rome, Papal States • Known for — Painting • Training — Pupil of Matthias de Visch and Jean-Jacques Bachelier • Movement — Neo-classicism • Notable Works — Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi (1795) • Awards — Prix de Rome (1771)

Suvée was born in Bruges. Initially a pupil of Matthias de Visch, he came to France aged 19 and became a pupil of Jean-Jacques Bachelier. In 1771, he won the Prix de Rome. In Rome from 1772 to 1778, he prolonged the usual duration allowed to pensionaries of the French Academy in Rome. He was named an academician on his return to Paris and he opened an art school for young women at the Louvre. One of his students was Constance Mayer. He emulated and competed with Jacques-Louis David, earning his enduring hatred. Named the French Academy in Rome's director in 1792, replacing François-Guillaume Ménageot, he was imprisoned for a while in the Prison Saint-Lazare and only able to take up the post in 1801. After a brilliant career, and a six years' stay in Rome as the Academy's Director, he died there suddenly. His works include Achilles depositing the body of Hector at the feet of the body of Patroclus, (1769, Louvre), and Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi, (1795, Louvre). His pupils were Jean-Baptiste Joseph Autrique (1777–1853), Augustin van den Berghe, Marie Bouliard, Cornelis Cels, Césarine Henriette Flore Davin, Joseph-François Ducq, Jean-Bernard Duvivier, Guillielmus Petrus Geysen (1761–1827), Albert Gregorius, Jean-François Legillon, Constance Mayer, Jozef Karel De Meulemeester (1774–1836), Joseph Denis Odevaere, Gertrude de Pélichy, Pierre Joseph Petit (1768–1825), Ange René Ravault (1766–1845), Jacques-Albert Senave, Charles Spruyt (1769–1851), Philip van der Wal (1774–?), and François Wynckelman. Anna Barbara Bansi, with whom he is said to have had an affair, was another pupil.

The authorities additionally record the headings Feu M. r Joseph-Benoît, Joseph Benoît Suvée, Feu. R Suvée, Suvé de Bruges and Jos. His recorded languages were French and Dutch. He married Charlotte-Louise Suvée. Other recorded relations include Jean Rameau.

His work is associated with Neoclassicism. Recorded position is director. He belonged to Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture. He worked at Bruges, Paris and Rome.

One work is recorded as notable: Academic life drawing study: seated male nude. His recorded genre is history.

Joseph-Benoît Suvée is recorded with the occupation draftsperson. Classed in the genre history painting.