Artwork

Portrait of Suzanne Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau

Portrait of Suzanne Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau, by Jacques-Louis David, oil, 1804
Portrait of Suzanne Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau, by Jacques-Louis David, oil, 1804

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.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jacques-Louis David

Artist

Jacques-Louis David

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: J. Paul Getty Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.