Balechou Jean-Joseph

Jean-Joseph Balechou was a French artist, born in Arles/France in 1716 and died in Avignon/France in 1764. He was an etcher. Initially he studied painting together with Joseph Vernet with Philippe Sauvan in Avignon. Sauvan advised Balechou to learn engraving from engraver Jean Michel. His first engravings mainly represented ornaments: fireplaces, consoles, tables, ... after T. Lainée and R. Vial, but also genre scenes after E. Jeaurat and M.F. Dandre-Barton. He then continued his education in Paris, in the studio of Jacques-Philippe Le Bas and later that of François-Bernard Lépicié. Here he acquired his great reputation as an etcher. He entered the Académie and was commissioned to etch a portrait of the king of Poland, Augustus II, after a work by Rigaud. With this work he became discredited and he returned to Avignon. In the last years of his life he engraved paintings by J. Vernet. The engraving of 'The Tempest' is especially appreciated and in particular by the painter Vernet himself who writes; "This print has met my expectations, your research is endless and requires research and a lot of knowledge to understand its beauty ... I am currently impatient for this print to be distributed in the world for your glory and for mine." Vernet Balechou offered to engrave all of his navies in 1763. Balechou's main qualities were his performance style and bold effects in the compositions of his original works. He earned considerable sums from his etchings. Works by him can be found in the Museum in Avignon/France and in San Francisco/America.(BT)