Jean-Baptiste Oudry: A Life in Art Jean-Baptiste Oudry, born March 17, 1686, in the heart of Paris, France, was a luminary of the Rococo artistic movement—a painter whose meticulous observation and masterful technique elevated animal depictions to unparalleled levels of beauty and realism. His artistic journey began within an influential family; his father, Jacques Oudry, himself a respected artist and dealer, instilled in him a deep appreciation for visual artistry from a young age. Nicole Papillon, Oudry’s mother, possessed connections to Jean-Baptiste-Michel Papillon, the celebrated engra…