Little is known of Pierre Patel's life. He was probably born in Picardy in the early years of the 17th century. In 1635 he was a member of the Paris Académie de St-Luc. He is known only as a landscapist (like his son Pierre-Antoine). He worked on the decorative schemes for the Hôtel Lambert in Paris in 1646-7.
His work follows the Italianate style of Claude, some of whose works he saw in Paris; he seems never to have travelled to Italy.
Pierre Patel
about 1605 - 1676
Paintings by Pierre Patel
In this fantastical landscape, the holy family – the Virgin Mary, Joseph and Christ – pause on their journey beside a derelict Roman temple. Among crumbling columns and fragmented archways, niches with antique statues and carved reliefs remain intact. The Virgin gives Christ some figs as a symbol...