French Jesuit painter. Born Dole, France, July 31, 1702; died Beijing, China, December 8, 1768. After studying art at Rome, he entered the Society of Jesus as a lay brother, and was sent to China. His skill as a portrait-painter led to his appointment as painter to the emperor, who made him a mandarin. To meet the wishes of his patron, most of his work was executed according to Chinese taste and methods.