Artwork

Portrait of the Architect Giuseppe Valadier

Portrait of the Architect Giuseppe Valadier, by Pietro Labruzzi, oil, 1798
Portrait of the Architect Giuseppe Valadier, by Pietro Labruzzi, oil, 1798

Portrait of the Architect Giuseppe Valadier is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Pietro Labruzzi. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

Pietro Labruzzi's 1798 oil painting is a portrait of Giuseppe Valadier, a prominent architect. The work is characteristic of the Neoclassical style and is now part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Valadier in formal 18th-century attire, with a blue jacket and white shirt featuring a large bow. He holds a string or thread in his right hand, resting it on a chair. The subject's pose and clothing convey a sense of elegance and refinement.

Technique & Style

Labruzzi employed chiaroscuro to create a sense of depth and volume in the portrait. The contrast between light and dark areas emphasizes the subject's features and adds a sense of dimensionality to the composition.

History & Provenance

Labruzzi was an Italian painter who worked in Rome and Poland, including at the court of King Stanislaus Augustus. His portrait of Valadier was created during this period of activity, reflecting the artist's skill in capturing the likenesses of notable figures.

Artist & collection

Artist

Pietro Labruzzi

Pietro Labruzzi (1739–1805) was an Italian painter of the Neoclassical period, active in Rome and Poland.