Who painted Portrait Jules Moteley?

Portrait Jules Moteley was painted by Félix Vallotton in 1894.

Where can I see Portrait Jules Moteley?

Portrait Jules Moteley is held by Kunsthaus Zürich.

What movement is Portrait Jules Moteley?

Portrait Jules Moteley is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Artwork

Portrait Jules Moteley

Félix Vallotton , 1894

Portrait Jules Moteley is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Félix Vallotton. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.

About this work

Overview

Félix Vallotton’s 1894 oil portrait of Jules Moteley is part of the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich. The work presents a solitary male figure rendered in a restrained palette, set against a muted, earth‑toned background. Its compact composition and quiet atmosphere reflect the artist’s mature phase, when he favored intimate, psychologically nuanced portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown in strict profile, looking toward the left. He has short brown hair, a white collared shirt and a dark jacket, suggesting a modest, perhaps professional appearance. The careful rendering of facial contours conveys a sense of calm introspection, inviting viewers to consider the individual’s inner character rather than any narrative action.

Technique & Style

The brushwork is smooth and controlled, producing a realistic yet slightly flattened surface that aligns with his broader Symbolist tendencies.

Executed in oil on canvas, Vallotton employs a limited colour range, allowing subtle tonal variations to model the face and clothing. The brushwork is smooth and controlled, producing a realistic yet slightly flattened surface that aligns with his broader Symbolist tendencies. The background’s earthy hue recedes, emphasizing the sitter’s profile and reinforcing the painting’s overall compositional balance.

History & Provenance

Created in 1894, the portrait entered the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing late‑19th‑century Swiss and French artists, and it stands as a documented example of Vallotton’s portrait practice during his most productive period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Félix Vallotton

Félix Édouard Vallotton (French: ; December 28, 1865 – December 29, 1925) was a Swiss and French painter and printmaker associated with the group of artists known as Les Nabis.