Who painted Bertrand Clauzel (1772-1842)?

Bertrand Clauzel (1772-1842) was painted by Georges Rouget in 1836.

Where can I see Bertrand Clauzel (1772-1842)?

Bertrand Clauzel (1772-1842) is held by Palace of Versailles.

What movement is Bertrand Clauzel (1772-1842)?

Bertrand Clauzel (1772-1842) is associated with French Romanticism.

Artwork

Bertrand Clauzel (1772-1842)

Georges Rouget , 1836

Bertrand Clauzel (1772-1842) is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Georges Rouget. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Overview

Georges Rouget’s 1836 oil portrait presents the French general Bertrand Clausel in full dress. The canvas is part of the collection at the Palace of Versailles, where it remains on display as a representative example of early‑nineteenth‑century official portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, General Bertrand Clausel (1772‑1842), is shown in a white military uniform trimmed with gold, signifying his rank and honors. His upright stance against a subdued backdrop conveys authority and composure, reflecting the conventions of state portraiture intended to emphasize the subject’s public service.

Technique & Style

Rouget employs oil on canvas with a visible brushwork that adds tactile surface to the uniform’s fabric and the surrounding darkness. Subtle modelling of light and shadow creates a three‑dimensional presence, while the limited palette focuses attention on the figure’s attire and facial expression.

History & Provenance

Completed in 1836, the work entered the royal collection and is now housed in the Palace of Versailles. Its provenance traces directly from the artist’s studio to the French state, illustrating the practice of commissioning portraits of notable military leaders during the July Monarchy.

Context

The portrait belongs to a period when the French government commissioned portraits to document the careers of prominent officers. Rouget, a pupil of Jacques-Louis David, applied a neoclassical sensibility to the composition, aligning Clausel’s image with the era’s ideals of civic virtue and martial distinction.