The artwork “Unfinished portrait of General Bonaparte” is a Neoclassical oil on canvas by Jacques-Louis David, dating from around 1797 to 1798. The dimensions of the piece are 81 cm by 65 cm, and it is classified as a sketch and study. It is currently held in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
The artwork provides a fascinating glimpse into the artistic process, captured in the moment before completion. The subject, General Bonaparte, is portrayed with a resolute expression, his gaze directed slightly off the canvas, conveying a thoughtful intensity. His features are finely rendered on the canvas, while the rest of the portrait remains sketched out in loose outlines, leaving the viewer to imagine the final composition. The deep red of his collar and the stark black tones of his hair stand out against the otherwise unfinished figure and muted background, drawing attention to the face and the intricacy of the unfinished attire. The juxtaposition of the detailed work of the face against the unfinished quality of the rest illustrates the exacting skill of David and gives an extraordinary insight into his artistic approach during the Neoclassical period.