This work by Jacques-Émile Blanche, completed in 1920, presents a vibrant portrait of the young Francis Poulenc, then 21 years old, in all his youthful vigor.
The composer is depicted in his military uniform, his gaze slightly distant yet filled with characteristic vivacity. The painter’s impressionistic touch, with its soft green hues and subtle grays, creates a summery atmosphere characteristic of Offranville, where Blanche maintained his residence. The casual, almost photographic framing—with Poulenc seated at a three-quarter angle on what appears to be a daybed—conveys the intimacy between the painter and his subject.
The treatment of the crossed hands, relaxed posture, and slightly mischievous facial expression perfectly capture the spirit of the young musician during his rising career. The painting technique, both free and controlled, reveals Blanche’s modernity as he departs here from the conventions of academic portraiture.
Further Context
- Portrait of Francis Poulenc by Jacques-Émile Blanche, July 16, 1920, at Offranville
- 92.5 x 73.5 cm
- Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, Paris Musées
- https://www.parismuseescollections.paris.fr/fr/petit-palais/oeuvres/portrait-de-francis-poulenc
Jacques-Émile Blanche (1861-1942) was one of the most sought-after portraitists of the Belle Époque and interwar periods. Born into the Parisian bourgeoisie, he was friend and painter to numerous artists and intellectuals of his time.
His work constitutes a veritable pictorial chronicle of French cultural life, immortalizing figures from Marcel Proust to Jean Cocteau and Igor Stravinsky. His technique, influenced by the Impressionists while maintaining roots in the tradition of psychological portraiture, allowed him to create works of great sensitivity, capturing not only the appearance but also the personality of his subjects.
