He began his studies in Orléans with an artist named Pierre Poncet, who had been a student of Simon Vouet.

In 1646, aged only eighteen, he was employed in preparing the decorations for the opera Orfeo by Luigi Rossi.

This attracted the attention of Charles Errard, who was responsible for the artwork at the Oratoire and the King's Bedroom at the Louvre, who engaged him to do some paintings.

While there, he continued to produce paintings for the Royal Family and developed an enthusiasm for mythological themes.

Three years later, at the age of seventy-seven, he undertook a project to paint frescoes above the high altar at the Église des Invalides.

This difficult work resulted in a long, serious illness that led to his death on Christmas Eve in 1707.