Artwork

Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794)

Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794), by Auguste Couder, oil, 1834
Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794), by Auguste Couder, oil, 1834

Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794) is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Auguste Couder. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting by Auguste Couder, created in 1834, is a portrait of Nicolas, baron de Luckner, a prominent French military figure who served as marshal of France. The work is part of the French Romanticism movement and is currently housed in the Palace of Versailles collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Nicolas de Luckner in formal military attire, emphasizing his rank as marshal. His dress, including a black jacket with gold trim, white pants, black boots, and a red sash, along with the sword in his right hand, signifies his military distinction. The dramatic, cloudy sky behind him underscores the seriousness and honor associated with his position.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the portrait reflects the stylistic influences of French Romanticism, a movement characterized by emphasis on emotion, drama, and meticulous detail. Couder's training under prominent neoclassical and early romantic painters (Jean-Baptiste Regnault and Jacques-Louis David) likely informed the work's blend of realism and heroic posture.

History & Provenance

Completed in 1834 by Auguste Couder, the painting is part of the Palace of Versailles' collection. Couder's subsequent career milestones include being honored as an officer of the Légion d'honneur and his admission to the Académie des beaux-arts in 1839.

Context

The portrait of Nicolas de Luckner, created nearly four decades after his death, suggests a nostalgic or commemorative intent, aligning with the early 19th-century French interest in honoring its military heritage. The Romantic style adds an emotional depth to this historical figure's representation.

Legacy

While specific details on the painting's direct influence are not provided, as part of the Versailles collection, it contributes to the broader legacy of French Romantic portraiture and the historical memory of Nicolas de Luckner. Couder's own legacy is marked by his achievements within the French art establishment.

Cyrus-Marie-Adélaïde de Timbrune, Count of Valence, General-in-Chief of the Army of the Ardennes
Cyrus-Marie-Adélaïde de Timbrune, Count of Valence, General-in-Chief of the Army of the Ardennes, Merry-Joseph Blondel

Artist & collection

Portrait of Auguste Couder

Artist

Auguste Couder

Louis-Charles-Auguste Couder, or Auguste Couder (1 April 1789 – 21 July 1873), was a French painter and student of Jean-Baptiste Regnault and Jacques-Louis David.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Palace of Versailles open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794)?

Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794) was painted by Auguste Couder in 1834.

Where can I see Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794)?

Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794) is held by Palace of Versailles.

What movement is Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794)?

Nicolas, baron de Luckner, maréchal de France (1722-1794) is associated with French Romanticism.