Artwork

Frédéric-Henry, count Walter

Frédéric-Henry, count Walter, by Robert Lefèvre, oil, 1815
Frédéric-Henry, count Walter, by Robert Lefèvre, oil, 1815

Frédéric-Henry, count Walter is an oil painting by Robert Lefèvre. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Overview

Robert Lefèvre’s 1815 oil portrait presents Frédéric‑Henri, comte Walter, seated on a cannon amid a pastoral landscape. The composition places the count in a black military jacket trimmed in gold, a red sash across his chest, and a sword in hand, while a fellow officer on horseback watches him. The work is part of the Palace of Versailles collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting emphasizes the count’s military status and composure, juxtaposing his seated, authoritative pose with the active stance of the rider beside him. The inclusion of the cannon and the river‑lined backdrop underscores a connection to martial achievement and the natural environment of France during the Napoleonic era.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, Lefèvre employs a realistic approach typical of early‑19th‑century French portraiture. The handling of light on the metallic trim and the detailed rendering of the uniforms reflect the academic influence of Jacques‑Louis David, while the landscape background provides depth without distracting from the figures.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after the fall of Napoleon, the portrait entered the royal collection and now resides at the Palace of Versailles. Lefèvre, a prominent portraitist of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, was known for his court commissions, and this work exemplifies his role in documenting the French aristocracy of the period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Robert Lefèvre

Artist

Robert Lefèvre

Robert Jacques François Faust Lefèvre (French pronunciation: , 24 September 1755, in Bayeux – 3 October 1830, in Paris) was a French painter of portraits, history paintings and religious paintings.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Palace of Versailles open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.