René-Antoine Houasse (1645 - 1710): A Brush With Grandeur René-Antoine Houasse, a name perhaps less immediately recognized than some of his Baroque contemporaries, nevertheless occupies a significant place in the artistic landscape of 17th-century France. Born in Paris in 1645, Houasse’s career unfolded against the backdrop of Louis XIV’s opulent reign, an era defined by a relentless pursuit of magnificence and a fervent patronage of the arts. His journey began under the tutelage of Charles Le Brun, the preeminent figure of French Baroque painting and first painter to the King. This formativ…