Artwork

Portrait of a man in the uniform of the Imperial Guard hussar officer

Portrait of a man in the uniform of the Imperial Guard hussar officer is an oil painting by Jean Lulves. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw. Created circa 1871, this oil portrait depicts a male figure in the distinctive attire of an Imperial Guard hussar officer.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1871, this oil portrait depicts a male figure in the distinctive attire of an Imperial Guard hussar officer. The work is part of the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw and exemplifies the artist’s interest in historic military subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown in a vivid red uniform trimmed in white, with a gold sash, medal, and a hat crowned by a red feather and gilt detailing. Positioned before a stone column and flanked by a hint of foliage, the composition conveys a formal, dignified presence typical of mid‑19th‑century military portraiture.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs layered glazing to achieve a rich depth of colour and texture, especially in the fabric’s sheen and the reflective metal of the sword and decorations. The careful modeling of light on the face and uniform draws attention to the subject’s expression and rank.

History & Provenance

The portrait was painted by Jean Lulvès, a Franco‑German artist born in Mulhouse, Alsace, who later worked in Berlin and was known for genre scenes and large decorative pieces. After its creation, the work entered the holdings of Warsaw’s National Museum, where it remains on display.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jean Lulves

Jean Lulvès (26 November 1833, Mulhouse, Alsace – 8 January 1889, Berlin was a Franco-German painter, specializing in genre painting and decorative works for large rooms such as the Coronation Hall in the Kremlin and…