Greuze, << gruz, >> Jean Baptiste (1725-1805), was a French painter known for his scenes of moral family life. His paintings reflected the rising influence of middle-class morality in France before the French Revolution. Pictures such as The Father’s Curse and The Prodigal Son made him popular all over Europe. Many of his pictures of young girls hint at moral weakness as well as virtue. He was also known for his portraits.
Greuze was born in Tournus. His popularity began in the 1750’s and continued until the French Revolution. After the revolution, his sentimental style became unfashionable and he died in poverty.
