Artwork
Portrait of the Composer Samuel David
Portrait of the Composer Samuel David is an oil painting by the Realist artist Jean-Jacques Henner. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Western Art.
About this work
Overview
Jean-Jacques Henner painted 'Portrait of the Composer Samuel David' in 1860 using oil on canvas. The work is now part of the National Museum of Western Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Samuel David, a composer, with dark curly hair and a beard. He is shown from the chest up, with a neutral expression, lost in thought as his eyes are cast downward. The dark, indistinct background emphasizes his face.
Technique & Style
The painting showcases Henner's skill in capturing human expression through subtle shading and texture, creating depth and volume. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique emphasizing contrasts between light and dark, is evident in the rendering of the subject's features.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Jacques Henner (5 March 1829 – 23 July 1905) was a French painter, noted for his use of sfumato and chiaroscuro in painting nudes, religious subjects and portraits.
