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Artwork

Portrait of Constance Pipelet

Jean-Baptiste François Desoria , 1797

Portrait of Constance Pipelet, by Jean-Baptiste François Desoria, oil, 1797
Portrait of Constance Pipelet, by Jean-Baptiste François Desoria, oil, 1797

Portrait of Constance Pipelet is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Jean-Baptiste François Desoria. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

This oil on canvas painting, Portrait of Constance Pipelet, is a representation of a woman from the late 18th century. It is an example of Neoclassical portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Constance Pipelet, was a poet, librettist, and feminist who hosted a salon in Paris. Her attire and the composition of the painting reflect the cultural and artistic values of the time, including the influence of ancient styles and the egalitarian ideals of the French Republic.

Technique & Style

The painting features a figure set against a bright blue sky, with a simple white dress that exemplifies the fashion of the 1790s. The composition, with the figure parallel to the picture plane, is reminiscent of antique relief sculpture, highlighting the artist's use of classical influences.

Context

Created in the aftermath of the French Revolution, the painting embodies the Neoclassical style prevalent among artists associated with Jacques-Louis David. The simplicity of the subject's dress and the overall composition reflect the cultural and artistic ideals of the period.

Artist & collection

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