The artwork titled “Portrait d’Amelie-Justine et de Charles-Edouard Pontois,” created by artist Adele Romany in the year 1800, is an oil on canvas that measures 92 by 73 centimeters. It is reflective of the Neoclassicism art movement, which often emphasized clarity, order, and idealized beauty in its depiction of subjects.
The artwork portrays a young woman and a boy in a natural setting. The woman, seated to the left, gazes directly at the viewer with a calm and composed expression. Her attire consists of a white dress with a fringed and embroidered red shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hairstyle is arranged in a graceful updo typical of the era, with strands loosely framing her face. The young boy, who is likely the woman’s brother, is depicted slightly leaning against her. He is attired in a tan jacket with a white collared shirt underneath. His expression is relaxed, with a slight smile, suggesting a familial warmth and intimacy shared with the woman. Both figures are rendered with a softness and a delicate attention to detail that is characteristic of Romany’s style, capturing the refined elegance of their social milieu.
