Painting in Compigné representing the obelisk of the Vendres port square

France, last third of the 18th century
Attributed to Thomas Compigné
Tin, gold and silver
Gouache, colored varnishes

This small compigné medallion represents an urban view. It is made with gouache and enhanced with gold applied to stamped tin foil. The scene depicts the Place de Port-Vendres. On this square stands an obelisk, crowned with a globe and a fleur-de-lys. The base of this monument bears the inscription “To the Glory of Louis XVI”. A fence surrounds it, punctuated at each corner by a shield. In the background, a building reminiscent of an ancient temple, with a triangular pediment and four rows of columns, rises. Several characters are active on the square. Behind them, a line of trees precedes a mountain range. In this painting, the entire scene was stamped, then entirely enhanced with gold. The sky, for its part, was treated with gouache. This composition is surrounded by a beaded frieze and set in a gilded bronze frame, itself inserted in a quadrangular frame covered in red velvet.

The Compigné Creation Process

The paintings known as "Compigné" are made from a bronze-engraved matrix, allowing designs to be stamped onto tortoiseshell or pewter. After printing, the artist applies polychromy with gouache and sometimes highlights in gilding. This process combines technical precision with artistic variations, particularly in the colors and added figures.

Variations and Interpretations of Engraved Models

Compigné draws on existing engravings, which he adapts by simplifying or modifying certain elements. His subjects are varied, ranging from landscapes to contemporary events, and his works evolve from small cabinet pieces to more ambitious compositions. This diversity testifies to a flexible and inventive production.

Thomas Compigné

A Parisian cabinetmaker active in the 18th century, Thomas Compigné is renowned for his luxury objects and technical innovations. Close to the court, he developed a refined style and signed his works, which contributed to his fame. Despite his success, some aspects of his life and work remain poorly understood.


Bibliography

-“Les Compignés et leurs créateurs, ces délicats chefs?d’œuvre de la tabletterie au XVIIIe siècle”, Plaisir de France, no. 427, March 1975.
-Compigné, peintre et tabletier du Roy, exhibition catalogue, Grasse, Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard, June–July 1991.