Paintings — The Private Collection of Jayne Wrightsman
Théodore Chassériau was a Dominican-born French Romantic painter noted for his portraits, historical and religious paintings, allegorical murals, and Orientalist images inspired by his travels to Algeria. Early in his career he painted in a Neoclassical style close to that of his teacher Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, but in his later works he was strongly influenced by the Romantic style of Eugène Delacroix. He was a prolific draftsman, and made a suite of prints to illustrate Shakespeare's Othello. The portrait he painted at the age of 15 of Prosper Marilhat, makes Théodore Chassériau the youngest painter exhibited at the Louvre museum.
Émile Jean-Horace Vernet, more commonly known as simply Horace Vernet was a 19th-century French painter, one of the greatest representatives of the battlefield genre of his era.
Horace Vernet also painted paintings on historical and mythological themes, portraits and landscapes. Among his many masterpieces are many works that describe the exotic world of the Middle East and North Africa. His biography is filled with numerous travels around the world, where he drew inspiration and new ideas for his works.
Jean-Léon Gérôme was a prominent 19th-century French painter, a representative of the academic school of painting. His paintings are notable for their impeccable composition and exquisite colour palette.
Jean-Léon Gérôme did not accept the work of the Impressionists, whom he considered to be the ignominy of French art. This has earned him a controversial reputation as a fierce supporter of academism and a persecutor of new movements.
Franz Xaver Winterhalter was a renowned German painter and lithographer, celebrated for his masterful portraits of the nineteenth-century European aristocracy. Born in 1805 in a small village in the Black Forest, Winterhalter rose from humble beginnings to become the favored portraitist at royal courts across Europe, including those of Britain, France, and Russia.
Winterhalter's artistry is especially noted for its blend of realism and idealization, which made his portraits highly sought after by the elites of the time. His work is characterized by a delicate yet expressive handling of detail and a sophisticated use of color to enhance the opulence of his subjects' attire and surroundings. One of his most famous works, "The Empress Eugénie Surrounded by her Ladies in Waiting," epitomizes his style and skill in capturing the elegance and grace of the imperial courts.
His works are held in esteemed public collections worldwide, including the National Gallery of Art and the J. Paul Getty Museum, which preserve and display several of his important portraits. Winterhalter's legacy endures, and his paintings continue to be celebrated for their historical significance and artistic merit.
For those interested in exploring more about Franz Xaver Winterhalter's life and works, consider subscribing for updates related to new product sales and auction events featuring his art. This subscription is an excellent resource for collectors and experts in art and antiques, ensuring you stay informed about opportunities to acquire pieces by this illustrious artist.
Alfred Émile Léopold Stevens was a Belgian painter, known for his paintings of elegant modern women. After gaining attention early in his career with a social realist painting depicting the plight of poor vagrants, he achieved great critical and popular success with his scenes of upper-middle class Parisian life. In their realistic style and careful finish, his works reveal the influence of 17th-century Dutch genre painting.
