Who painted Le Prophète Elie?

Le Prophète Elie was painted by Louis Cretey in 1690.

Where can I see Le Prophète Elie?

Le Prophète Elie is held by Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

What movement is Le Prophète Elie?

Le Prophète Elie is associated with French Classical Baroque.

Artwork

Le Prophète Elie

Louis Cretey , 1690

Le Prophète Elie is an unspecified painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Louis Cretey. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1690 by Louis Cretey, a leading artist of the Lyonnaise school, *Le Prophète Elie* is an oil painting now in the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon. The work belongs to the French classical baroque tradition, presenting a tightly composed scene that balances drama with restraint.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas portrays the biblical prophet Elijah amid a fiery landscape, accompanied by a horse and attendant figures. The flames and the prophet’s poised stance suggest a moment of divine intervention, inviting contemplation of faith tested by peril and the resilience of the human spirit.

Technique & Style

Cretey employs a muted palette of reds, browns and grays, allowing the chiaroscuro of light and shadow to model the figures and the horse in motion. The subtle gradations of illumination create depth, while the controlled brushwork reflects the baroque emphasis on dramatic yet orderly visual impact.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s focus on representing the artistic output of Lyon’s 17th‑century baroque masters and preserving regional cultural heritage.

Artist & collection

Artist

Louis Cretey

Louis Cretey, formerly known as Pierre-Louis Cretey (c.1635 – after 1702), was a French baroque painter and one of the leading masters in the Lyonnaise school.