Louis-Marie-Jacques-Almaric, comte de Narbonne-Lara

The work captures the French nobleman in a dignified pose, emphasizing his rank through the ornate military‑style attire. The minimal background removes any narrative distraction, focusing attention on the count’s bearing and the subtle authority conveyed by his direct, yet restrained, glance.

Executed in oil on canvas, Déhérain employs a limited palette dominated by deep blacks and metallic gold, creating strong tonal contrast. The brushwork is smooth and precise, especially in the rendering of fabric and hair, reflecting the Romantic era’s interest in dramatic lighting and the psychological presence of the sitter.

Created in 1838, the portrait entered the collection of the Palace of Versailles, where it remains on display. Déhérain, a French painter born in Abbeville in 1798, exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon from 1827 until her death in 1839, situating this work within the latter part of her brief but active career.

The painting belongs to the French Romantic movement, a period that favored expressive individualism and heightened emotional tone. Déhérain’s training under Hortense Haudebourt‑Lescot, herself a noted portraitist, informed the work’s refined yet intimate approach to aristocratic representation.