Pierre Lelu

Pierre Lelu was an artist whose documented professional career spanned over five decades, from 1741 to 1793. Operating during the late 18th century, Lelu focused predominantly on graphic mediums.

Museum collections currently hold ten works attributed to Lelu, consisting of nine prints and one drawing. His subject matter included both mythological history and genre scenes. Noteworthy examples include the complex drawing The Death of Hector on the Ramparts of Troy (recto) / Tancred and Erminia (verso) and the print The Dictation. He also produced depictions of farm life, represented by multiple existing impressions of A Bull and Two Sheep.

The lasting significance of Pierre Lelu’s oeuvre is secured by its representation in major international collections, including the National Gallery of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. The preserved works, often available as high-quality prints, contribute to graphic art studies of the period. Today, many of these images are found in the public domain, making Lelu’s artistic output readily accessible as downloadable artwork for research purposes.