Artwork
Portrait of Suzanne Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau

Portrait of Suzanne Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Jacques-Louis David. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Suzanne Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau is an oil painting created by Jacques Louis David in 1804, now part of the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Suzanne Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau, a woman of discerning appearance, conveyed through her direct gaze and neutral expression, set against a backdrop of understated elegance.
Technique & Style
David employed oil paint to achieve a sense of depth through meticulous manipulation of light and shadow, blending period-specific details with a predominantly formal, classical aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1804, the portrait's history prior to its acquisition by the J. Paul Getty Museum is not detailed here, highlighting the museum as its current, documented custodian.
Context
The subject's attire—a white dress and black shawl—and curly dark hair, situate the portrait within early 19th-century fashion, yet the overall composition leans towards timeless, classical influences.
Legacy
As a work by Jacques Louis David, the portrait contributes to the artist's oeuvre, notable for its neoclassical tendencies, though the subject's personal legacy or the painting's broader impact are not specified.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris on 30 August 1748 into a bourgeois family; his father died in a duel when the boy was nine, and a maternal uncle guided his education.



















