Allegory of Justice Punishing Injustice

1737 · Private collection

mythological

This painting is one of Nattier's most important royal commissions, and an equally impressive and rare surviving example of his work in a vein other than portraiture. It was commissioned by Jean-Philippe d'Orléans (1702-1748), the Grand Master or Grand Prieur of the Knights of the Order of Malta in France for the decoration of his Parisian residence the Palais du Temple. Of the seven paintings of the decoration, recorded by his biographers, only three are now known representing cardinal virtues, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice.

About the Artist

Jean-Marc Nattier

1685 – 1766

French portrait painter. His father, Marc (c. 1642-1705), was a painter and his mother, Marie Courtois (c. 1655-1703), was a miniaturist. He was one of the most successful artists at the court of Louis XV, excelling in the vogue for painting women in mythological or allegorical fancy dress - or undress - transforming his matrons into goddesses (Mme de Lambesc as Minerva, Louvre, Paris, 1737). His portraits are little concerned with individual characterization, but they show fluency, vivacity, and a relaxed charm. He was at his best with women and has been accused of 'painting with make-up', a comment that suggests the pastel-like delicacy of his handling. Taste was turning against him towards the end of his career and some of his later work shows signs of fatigue. His brother Jean-Baptiste was also a painter; he committed suicide after being expelled by the Académie.

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