A Life in Paris and the Fontainebleau School
Philippe Millereau was a French Mannerist painter active during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Associated with the Second School of Fontainebleau, he was a member of a family of painters, which included his brother Jean I Millereau and his son Jean II Millereau. Settling in Paris, he married Louise Belanger, with whom he had two children, Jean and Marie.
His professional life in Paris saw him listed as a master painter in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 1602. During his career, he lived in the rue du Temple and was recorded as having an apprenticeship contract for Bernard de Mialle in 1604. His presence was also noted in Reims in 1609, and he died in Paris, where he was buried in the church of Saint-Sulpice.
Artistic Style and Known Works
Millereau's work is characterized by mythological subjects set within landscapes. His known paintings include:
In Le Sacrifice d'Iphigénie, the composition features a sacrificial altar centered in a dense forest landscape. The scene depicts King Agamemnon in a reddish cuirass and Iphigénie in a blue tunic, accompanied by small children and a priest. The work is noted for its use of theatrical lighting and impasto on the foliage. His artistic style reflects influences from Toussaint Dubreuil, Italian artists such as Nicolò dell'Abbate, and Flemish painters.
