In this remarkable work, Paul Delaroche offers an intimate and refined portrait that transcends mere family representation. The artist composes a scene of exceptional delicacy, where his young son Horace, barely two years old, is depicted in a sumptuous setting dominated by rich burgundy draperies and a green velvet chair.
The little boy, dressed in a white gown adorned with sky-blue ribbons, leans with natural grace against the armchair, creating a dynamic diagonal composition that animates the entire painting.
The presence of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel adds a touch of tenderness and companionship to the scene. The contrast between the child’s candid gaze and the dog’s attentive expression creates a subtle narrative tension that enriches the composition. The virtuoso treatment of textures—from the vaporous fabrics of the dress to the shimmering draperies and the silky fur of the dog—demonstrates the artist’s exceptional technical mastery.
Further Information
- Portrait of Horace Delaroche by Paul Delaroche, painted in 1838
- 95 x 56.4 cm
- Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris, displayed in the Ground Floor Garden Room 07, Paris Musées
- https://www.parismuseescollections.paris.fr/fr/petit-palais/oeuvres/portrait-d-horace-delaroche
Paul Delaroche (1797-1856), a figure of 19th-century French painting, is primarily known for his dramatic historical compositions. Yet this portrait reveals a more personal and intimate facet of his art. Trained in the academic tradition, he married Louise Vernet, daughter of the celebrated painter Horace Vernet, thus allying himself with a major artistic dynasty. His ability to merge academic technical rigor with romantic sensibility makes him a pivotal artist of his era.
