Artwork
Madame Henri François Riesener (Félicité Longrois, 1786–1847)
Madame Henri François Riesener (Félicité Longrois, 1786–1847) is an oil painting by Eugène Delacroix. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Eugène Delacroix, a prominent artist of the French Romantic period, completed this oil painting in 1835. Titled Madame Henri François Riesener, it presents a portrait of Anne Louise Félicité Hassassin de Longroy, who was the wife of the artist's cousin. This work is now part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing Delacroix's approach to portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features Félicité Longrois, the spouse of Henri François Riesener, a relative of Delacroix. She is depicted with a serious expression, wearing a dark brown coat, a crisp white collar, and a large lace hat. A vibrant orange-and-yellow striped scarf adds a touch of color, drawing the viewer's attention to her composed presence against the subdued background.
Technique & Style
He rendered the intricate lace of the hat with fine detail, giving it a tactile quality.
Delacroix, a key figure in Romanticism, utilized oil paint to create this portrait, prioritizing expressive color and dynamic brushwork over strict classical forms. He rendered the intricate lace of the hat with fine detail, giving it a tactile quality. Soft lighting illuminates the textures of her attire and skin, while the unadorned, dark background ensures the sitter remains the central focus of the composition.
Context
Created during the height of the French Romantic movement, this portrait reflects Eugène Delacroix's personal connections, as the sitter was a member of his extended family. The work exemplifies his characteristic style within the genre of portraiture, showcasing his departure from academic conventions. Its current home in The Metropolitan Museum of Art places it within a significant public collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix ( DEL-ə-krwah, -KRWAH; French: ; 26 April 1798 – 13 August 1863) was a French Romantic artist who was regarded as the leader of the French Romantic school.
