Statue of Hyacinthe Rigaud

How many times have you found yourself standing in a street or a square, wondering who the person behind the name actually was? And how often have you known the answer? History is full of great figures who left their mark on France in all sorts of ways. But here, in this exact spot in Perpignan, there’s one name we’re focusing on — Hyacinthe Rigaud. Let’s take a look back at the success story of this local-born painter, who rose to become one of the most famous French portrait artists of the classical period. Hyacinthe Rigaud was born in Perpignan in 1659, into a Catalan family of artisan craftsmen. He fell in love with painting at a young age and trained in Carcassonne, Montpellier, and Lyon. During those years, he discovered Flemish painting — a style that deeply inspired and influenced his own. In 1681, just one year after moving to Paris, Rigaud won the prestigious First Prize of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. Thanks to this award, the doors to Rome and a promising future in history painting were opening for him. But Rigaud turned that opportunity down — choosing instead to focus on portrait painting, guided by Charles Le Brun, the founder of the Royal Academy. It may have seemed like a less prestigious path, but Rigaud brought portrait painting to a whole new level. He broke away from tradition by refusing to idealize his subjects. Instead, he painted them just as they were, with incredible precision. This bold approach wasn’t to everyone’s taste — especially among the ladies, who were more used to portraits that softened their features. At the time, painters often added a touch of elegance or charm. But Rigaud showed people as they truly were. For others, though, his eye for detail was simply breathtaking. Silks, velvets, and other fine fabrics seemed to come to life on the canvas. Between 1695 and 1702, he briefly returned to Perpignan, while also teaching at the Royal Academy. His true rise to fame came when he caught the attention of the king and the royal court.