Artwork

Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850)

Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850), by Anne-Louis Girodet, oil, 1823
Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850), by Anne-Louis Girodet, oil, 1823

Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850) is an oil painting by the Academic Art artist Anne-Louis Girodet. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The subject is portrayed wearing a velour dress, an attire she selected herself.

The painting depicts Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy (1782–1850), the wife of Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reiset, a prominent French government official during the Restoration era, and mother of the art collector Frédéric Reiset. Executed in 1823, the work represents a deliberate artistic choice by Anne-Louis Girodet, who persuaded the sitter to accept a half-length format rather than her requested full-length composition. The subject is portrayed wearing a velour dress, an attire she selected herself.

Stylistically, the portrait embodies a synthesis of Neoclassical principles inherited from Girodet's mentor, Jacques-Louis David, alongside influences from Florentine Renaissance art. As one of the final portraits completed before the artist's death in 1824, the work serves as a testament to his late career aesthetic, blending academic rigor with historical artistic references.

Technique & Style

Girodet executed the portrait in oil paint on canvas, producing a half-length composition measuring 60.3 by 49.5 centimeters. The work reflects the Neoclassical influence of his mentor Jacques-Louis David, combined with the artist's documented interest in Florentine Renaissance art, situating it within the academic art movement. The sitter had originally requested a full-length portrait, but Girodet persuaded her that the half-length format would be more appropriate.

She chose to be depicted in a velour dress, lending the figure a tactile richness consistent with Girodet's meticulous handling of fabric and surface. Painted in 1823, it was among the final portraits completed by the artist before his death the following year, and it was subsequently exhibited at the Salon of 1824 in Paris. An autograph replica, executed at the family's request likely in 1824, is held at the Girodet Museum in Montargis.

History & Provenance

Anne-Louis Girodet executed this oil portrait of Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy in 1823. Although the sitter initially requested a full-length composition, the artist convinced her that a half-length format would be more suitable, resulting in her depiction wearing a chosen velour dress. Created shortly before Girodet's death in 1824, the work was exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1824.

An autograph replica, likely produced in 1824 at the family's request, is held at the Musée Girodet in Montargis. The primary version currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The portrait of Madame Jacques‑Louis‑Étienne Reiset, painted by Anne‑Louis Girodet in 1823, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work, an oil on canvas measuring 60.3 × 49.5 cm, entered the museum's collection through a donation that is not documented in the consulted sources, and no accession number is provided. It was first exhibited at the Salon of 1824 in Paris, where it attracted contemporary notice.

Context

Painted in 1823, the portrait of Colette‑Désirée‑Thérèse Godefroy was displayed at the Salon of 1824 and later entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art, marking one of Girodet's last portrait commissions before his death in 1824. Art historians note its Neoclassical character, influenced by Girodet's mentor Jacques‑Louis David and his fascination with Florentine Renaissance art. Originally the sitter requested a full‑length pose, but Girodet convinced her to adopt a half‑length format, and she chose a velvet dress.

A near‑identical autograph replica was produced for the sitter's family and now resides in the Girodet Museum in Montargis. Scholars view the work as emblematic of early 19th‑century French portraiture and of the sitter's prominent genealogical connections within the art world.

Legacy

The portrait was shown at the 1824 Salon, marking one of Girodet's last major portrait commissions before his death in 1824. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ensuring ongoing public access, and a replica was produced for the sitter's family, now held at the Musée Girodet in Montargis. Contemporary assessments note its Neoclassical style, influenced by Jacques‑Louis David, and its engagement with Florentine Renaissance aesthetics, contributing to the development of early nineteenth‑century French portraiture.

Overview

Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson painted this oil portrait of Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet in 1823. The sitter, Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, was the wife of a French government official during the Restoration period. This work, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures her likeness shortly before the artist's death. It represents a significant example of portraiture from the early 19th century, showcasing the artist's mature style.

Madame Nicolas Louis Faret
Madame Nicolas Louis Faret, Martin Drolling

Artist & collection

Portrait of Anne-Louis Girodet

Artist

Anne-Louis Girodet

Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson (French pronunciation:; or de Roucy), also known as Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson or simply Girodet (29 January 1767 – 9 December 1824), was a French painter and pupil of Jacques-Louis…

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850)?

Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850) was painted by Anne-Louis Girodet in 1823-01-01.

Where can I see Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850)?

Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850)?

Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850) is associated with Academic Art.

Can I buy a print of Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850)?

Museum-quality prints of Madame Jacques-Louis-Étienne Reizet (Colette-Désirée-Thérèse Godefroy, 1782–1850) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.