Introduction

An Audran ceiling preserved in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs introduces the reader to the artist Claude III Audran. A brief description of his artform, the arabesque, follows. This is the first study to analyze Audran’s accomplishments and the longevity of his successful career. Audran acted as a vital connection between the Maîtrise and the Académie royale while earning renown for his painted arabesques. The chapters follow the arc of Audran’s career and consider the contextual variables that influenced and shaped his work. Audran’s achievements bridge an important period with the eclipse of the Maîtrise artist and the rise of the Académie royale. A review of previous scholarship contributes to our understanding of Audran’s oeuvre.