Michel Corneille the Elder

Michel Corneille the Elder studied at Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture. The recorded working language is French. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are history. Places of work recorded in the authority are Paris. Work by Michel Corneille the Elder is recorded in the collections of Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Arras, Musée de l'Histoire de France, Portland Art Museum, Musée Carnavalet and Hermitage Museum.

Corneille was born in Orléans. He was one of many who studied with the celebrated master Simon Vouet, who strongly influenced French painting of the early 17th century. In 1648, Corneille was one of the founders of the French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and was elected as one of the original twelve elders in charge of its running. He became its rector in 1656. Corneille devoted himself to historical paintings. He was an excellent colorist—in this more Venetian than French—and his early style resembled that of Simon Vouet; later his work had all the merits and all the faults of the post-Raphaelite, or decadent, "sweet", school of Italian art, showing the far-reaching influence of the Carracci. He was long employed in the decoration of churches in Paris, his masterpiece being the celebrated "St. Paul and St. Barnabas at Lystra", painted for the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. His etched and engraved work differed very little from that of the Carracci and of his two sons. It was chiefly reproductive. Notable examples are the "Murder of the Innocents", after Raphael, and the "Virgin Suckling the Infant Jesus", after Lodovico Carracci. He died in Paris in 1664.

• Illustration — The Massacre of the Innocents • Illustration — The Old Woman and Charity • Illustration — The Baptism of Clorinde, from Jerusalem Delivered • Illustration — Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary • Illustration — Cleopatra and the Asp • Illustration — Saint Francis Xavier in adoration before the Virgin and Child • Illustration — Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple • Illustration — Baptism of the Centurion

The authorities additionally record the headings Michel, le père Corneille, Michel Corneille, Michel, the elder Corneille, Michel Corneille 1601/3-1664 and Michel Corneille d.ä. His recorded language was French. 2 children are recorded: Jean-Baptiste Corneille and Michel Corneille the Younger.