HYACINTHE, sometimes called by his countrymen "the French Van Dyck," was born at Perpignan in 1659, and studied painting at Montpellier, and afterwards at Paris. Although he gained the academy's first prize, which furnished him with the means of studying in Italy, he resolved to stay at home and practice portrait-painting. His bold, rich, and somewhat extravagant representations soon struck the attention of the public. In course of time he found a brilliant circle of patrons. Louis XIV. gave him a commission for a portrait. The princes of the blood, and the chief courtiers followed the example. Many illustrious personages in foreign lands also became his sitters. Nor did his fellow-artists fail to recognise his merit. He was successively professor, rector, and director of the academy. Rigaud died in 1742, leaving behind him many pictures, which are now scattered throughout the collections of Europe.