Who painted Brustbild einer bejahrten Frau?

Brustbild einer bejahrten Frau was painted by Charles Le Brun in 1654.

Where can I see Brustbild einer bejahrten Frau?

Brustbild einer bejahrten Frau is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Brustbild einer bejahrten Frau?

Brustbild einer bejahrten Frau is associated with French Classical Baroque.

Artwork

Brustbild einer bejahrten Frau

Charles Le Brun , 1654

Brustbild einer bejahrten Frau is an unspecified painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Charles Le Brun. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Created in 1654, this oval portrait presents an elderly woman rendered in a restrained, closely cropped format.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1654, this oval portrait presents an elderly woman rendered in a restrained, closely cropped format. The composition is executed in monochrome, emphasizing tonal variation over colour. The sitter’s profile, hair gathered back and attire consisting of a modest high‑necked dress with a light collar, conveys a calm, solemn demeanor.

Subject & Meaning

The work focuses on the dignified presence of an aged female figure, whose serene expression and modest dress suggest virtues of modesty and contemplation. The profile pose, a conventional device for emphasizing character, invites viewers to consider the inner life of the sitter rather than external adornment.

Technique & Style

Le Brun employs smooth gradations of light and shadow to model the face, achieving a subtle three‑dimensional effect reminiscent of chiaroscuro. The delicate, swirling motif that frames the oval adds a restrained decorative element, while the overall handling reflects the classical Baroque aesthetic prevalent in mid‑17th‑century French painting.

History & Provenance

The portrait was painted by Charles Le Brun, a preeminent French court painter to Louis XIV and a leading theorist of his time. Influenced by the classicism of Nicolas Poussin, Le Brun’s work here exemplifies his synthesis of academic rigor and Baroque sensibility. Details of the painting’s later ownership remain undocumented.

Context

During the 1650s, French art was consolidating a national style that combined classical restraint with Baroque dynamism. Le Brun, as director of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, helped codify this approach, and the portrait reflects the period’s emphasis on moral seriousness and refined execution.

Bildnis der Maria Amalia, Tochter Kaisers Joseph I., Gemahlin Kaiser Karls VII., Michael Hartwagner

Artist & collection

Artist

Charles Le Brun

Charles Le Brun (French pronunciation:; baptised 24 February 1619 – 12 February 1690) was a French painter, physiognomist, art theorist, and a director of several art schools of his time.