Jacques Courtois Le Bourguignon Paintings

Jacques Courtois, also known as Giacomo Cortese or by his nickname 'Le Bourguignon' (The Burgundian), was a French painter born in 1621 in Saint-Hippolyte, Franche-Comté. He was renowned for his skill in painting battles and military subjects, which was heavily influenced by his personal experience as a soldier.

Courtois came from an artistic family; his father, Jean Courtois, was a painter and his brother, Guillaume Courtois (known as Il Borgognone), was also a distinguished artist. Jacques initially received his art training from his father before moving to Italy around 1636, where his work was greatly influenced by the Italian Baroque style, particularly by the works of Salvator Rosa and Michelangelo Cerquozzi, who were also specialized in military scenes.

He joined the army and served in the Papal States and Tuscany, which provided him with firsthand knowledge of war and military life. This unique perspective gave authenticity to his battle scenes, which were characterized by dynamic compositions, a vivid sense of movement, and an acute attention to detail in the depiction of weapons and uniforms.

Courtois’ work gained recognition, and he was patronized by important figures of his time, including the Grand Duke of Tuscany and Prince Mattias de' Medici. After serving in the army, he returned to painting and settled in Rome in 1656. There, he entered the Jesuit Order in 1657, which influenced his later works to include more religious subjects. Despite this change in focus, he is still best remembered for his battle paintings.

Jacques Courtois' paintings were highly esteemed during his lifetime and had a significant influence on later artists specializing in military subjects. He died in Rome on May 14, 1676. Today, his works can be found in various museums and art collections around the world, including the Louvre in Paris and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.