Artwork

Dominique-Catherine, marquis Pérignon, maréchal de France (1754-1818)

Dominique-Catherine, marquis Pérignon, maréchal de France (1754-1818) is an oil painting by the Realist artist Philippe-Auguste Hennequin. It is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1850 by French painter Philippe‑Auguste Hennequin, this oil on canvas presents a formal portrait of Dominique‑Catherine Pérignon, a marshal who served Napoleon. Executed in a realist manner, the work now belongs to the collection of the Palace of Versailles, where it is displayed among other nineteenth‑century state portraits.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown in full military regalia, his black coat edged in gold, a white cape draped over his shoulders, and a vivid red sash crossing his chest. A yellow belt cinches his waist, while his left hand holds a rolled document, suggesting official duties. The pose—left leg crossed over right, right hand on hip—conveys confidence and authority typical of high‑ranking officers of the era.

Technique & Style

Hennequin employs a realist approach, rendering textures such as the sheen of the fabric and the subtle play of light on the figure’s balding head with meticulous detail. The background features a muted landscape of trees beneath a cloud‑filled sky, providing a dignified yet unobtrusive setting that emphasizes the subject’s stature without romanticizing the scene.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered the royal holdings that later formed the Palace of Versailles museum collection. It has remained there since the nineteenth century, serving as a visual record of Pérignon’s military career and as an example of Hennequin’s contribution to French portraiture during the post‑Napoleonic period.