The artwork titled “Madame de Verninac” is a neoclassical oil on canvas painting created by the renowned artist Jacques-Louis David between 1798 and 1799. Measuring 145.5 by 112 centimeters, this portrait genre masterpiece is housed in the esteemed Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
In the artwork, Madame de Verninac is depicted with a serene elegance and graceful poise that are characteristic of David’s neoclassical style. The subject sits in a red-and-gold-decorated chair, assumedly of ancient design, wearing a white gown with classical lines, draped with a golden-yellow shawl that cascades across her lap and down along the side of the chair. Her attire harkens back to the fashions of antiquity, reflecting the neoclassical interest in the virtues and aesthetics of classical Greece and Rome. The fabric of her clothing is rendered with meticulous attention to the folds and flow, creating a realistic and textured appearance.
Her curly hair is adorned with simple yet elegant styling, partially pinned up with free curls framing her face. The warm, earth-toned background complements her rosy complexion and the soft modeling of her facial features, which are illuminated with a subtle light that highlights her gentle gaze and soft expression.
David’s use of chiaroscuro, the contrast between light and dark, directs the viewer’s attention to the subject’s face and the intricate details of the drapery. The painting’s surface shows the artist’s mastery in depicting the tactile qualities of the textiles and the intricacies of the chair’s design. The overall composition embodies the clarity, harmony, and restraint that typify neoclassical aesthetics, and the sitter’s dignified and composed demeanor encapsulates the moral and virtuous ideals embraced by the art movement of the time.
