State commissions
The Administrator of Royal Residences played a cardinal role in official
artistic policy. It was often he who, concurring with the king, suggested
commissions and chose an artist. Holders of this position included the Duke of
Antin from 1708-1736, Philibert Orry from 1736-1745, Le Normand de Tournehem
from 1745-1751,
Marigny
from 1751-1774 and finally
Angiviller
from 1774 onwards. Marigny skilfully balanced the tastes of his sister, the
Marquise de Pompadour, and the king for rocaille painting with the new more
severe trends. Angiviller, advised by First Painter
Jean-Baptiste Pierre
, attempted to impose
history painting's supremacy.
Besides the state
portraits of the sovereign, commissions covered the
decoration of
royal or
official buildings and
tapestry models and cartoons
destined for the royal factories.
Certain commissions were used for
propaganda purposes.
Subjects from
French history showed
the permanence of monarchical authority.
Vernet's ports of France were
discreet reminders of the advantages of the government's maritime policy.