Henri Gascar (c. 1635 – 1701) was a French painter who achieved notable success in England during the reign of Charles II. He portrayed many leading ladies of the court, several of them mistresses of the king, before returning to Paris and ending his days in Rome.
Born in Paris, he was the son of Pierre Gascar, a minor painter and sculptor. Around 1674 he came to England, probably at the invitation of Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth, the king's favourite, whose patronage brought him quick fame. His flamboyant manner, far removed from the sober English tradition, suited the frivolous taste of the day. He paid little attention to likeness, making up for it with sumptuous draperies and showy ornaments. For a brief period he was highly fashionable, and he is said to have amassed more than £10,000.
Among his English portraits are those of the Duchess of Portsmouth, Charles II, Nell Gwyn and Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland. Around 1680 he withdrew to Paris, perhaps also because of growing anti-Catholic and anti-French feeling. He was elected to the Académie Royale that October. He later settled in Rome, where he enjoyed a high reputation.
Some unsigned mezzotints after his portraits have been attributed to him, though he probably did not engrave them himself; they are among the earliest examples of the technique in England.
Works (4)
Portrait of Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth, painted by Henri Gascar in 1670. The available record offers no further details on composition, commission or context, so this description is limited to its identification. Louise de Kérouaille was one of the mistresses of King Charles II of England, and the portrait reflects the presence of French nobility at the English court of the period.
Portrait of Philippe de France, known as “Monsieur”, painted in oil on canvas by Henri Gascar. As a portrait, the work gives priority to the sitter's figure and presence, though the details of its commission, setting and early history cannot be established with confidence from the information available.
Where to see the work
- National Maritime Museum Royal Borough of Greenwich · 1
- Auckland Art Gallery Auckland Region · 1
- Palace Museum in Wilanów Warsaw · 1
- Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans Orléans · 1