Artwork

Jeanne de Bourgogne

Jeanne de Bourgogne, by Achille Devéria, ink, 1828
Jeanne de Bourgogne, by Achille Devéria, ink, 1828

Jeanne de Bourgogne is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Achille Devéria. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Achille Devéria’s 1828 lithograph, titled *Jeanne de Bourgogne*, presents a portrait of Joan II, Countess of Burgundy, rendered on wove paper. Executed in the early Romantic period, the image exemplifies Devéria’s focus on notable historical figures, employing the lithographic medium to convey a dignified, composed likeness.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Joan II, was a medieval noblewoman whose title linked her to the Burgundian territories. By portraying her in period costume, Devéria underscores her aristocratic status and the continuity of regional identity, inviting viewers to contemplate the legacy of medieval rulership within a 19th‑century French context.

Technique & Style

Created through lithography, the work relies on the artist’s manipulation of greasy ink on a flat stone surface, later transferred to wove paper. Devéria’s line work is restrained, emphasizing the serene expression and the folds of the historic attire, while the tonal gradations achieve subtle modeling without excessive detail.

History & Provenance

Devéria, a prolific French painter and lithographer, produced a series of portrait prints of cultural and literary figures during the 1820s. *Jeanne de Bourgogne* forms part of this corpus, reflecting his reputation for capturing prominent personalities. The print has circulated among collectors of 19th‑century French lithography and remains documented in museum inventories.

Context

The lithograph emerges from the Romantic era’s fascination with historical subjects and national heritage. In France, artists like Devéria turned to medieval icons to explore themes of chivalry, lineage, and regional pride, aligning with broader artistic currents that valorized the past as a source of contemporary inspiration.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Achille Devéria

Artist

Achille Devéria

Achille Jacques-Jean-Marie Devéria (6 February 1800 – 23 December 1857) was a French painter and lithographer known for his portraits of famous writers and artists.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.