Portrait of Madame Charles-Pierre Pecoul, nee Potain, mother-in-law of the artist (1784) by Jacques-Louis David

Portrait of Madame Charles-Pierre Pecoul, nee Potain, mother-in-law of the artist - Jacques-Louis David - 1784

Artwork Information

TitlePortrait of Madame Charles-Pierre Pecoul, nee Potain, mother-in-law of the artist
ArtistJacques-Louis David
Date1784
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions92.5 x 72 cm
Art MovementNeoclassicism

About Portrait of Madame Charles-Pierre Pecoul, nee Potain, mother-in-law of the artist

The artwork titled “Portrait of Madame Charles-Pierre Pecoul, nee Potain, mother-in-law of the artist,” is an oil painting on canvas created by the Neoclassical artist Jacques-Louis David in the year 1784. The dimensions of the portrait are 92.5 by 72 centimeters. This work is a fine exemplar of the portrait genre, which was prevalent during the Neoclassical movement that sought to revive the simplicity and purity of the arts of ancient Greece and Rome.

The portrayal within the artwork exhibits a stately woman wearing the attire characteristic of the affluent class of the time. She is adorned in a luxurious purple gown with cascading fabric and lace, accentuated with a richly hued orange bow at her waist. The sitter’s attire radiates opulence, with shimmering textures and delicate ruffles adding to the overall grandeur. This sense of elegance is further heightened by the ornate headpiece, which features a fine lace veil and a bow matching her waist’s adornment. Her visage is rendered with a dignified yet gentle expression, eyes directed slightly upward, possibly indicating contemplation or reverie.

Her physique is posed with grace, her arm resting lightly upon a piece of furniture, which introduces a naturalistic touch to the composition and suggests the sitter’s comfort and poise. The light source in the painting illuminates her face and upper torso, creating a subtle interplay of light and shadow that gives volume and depth to her form. The artwork’s execution demonstrates Jacques-Louis David’s mastery of fine detail and his ability to capture the essence of his subject’s personality and social stature. Through the fine brushwork and controlled palette, David has immortalized his mother-in-law with a dignified and serene nobility fitting of the Neoclassical aesthetic.

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