Artwork
Laure de Sade, Comtesse Adhéaume de Chevigné
Laure de Sade, Comtesse Adhéaume de Chevigné is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Federico de Madrazo y Ochoa. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed by Federico de Madrazo y Ochoa in 1914, the work is an oil on canvas portrait measuring 115.
The painting portrays Laure de Sade, Comtesse Adhéaume de Chevigné in a dignified profile, engrossed in reading, as indicated by the subject description in the documented record. Executed by Federico de Madrazo y Ochoa in 1914, the work is an oil on canvas portrait measuring 115.6 × 73.7 cm and belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Its composition emphasizes the sitter’s aristocratic status and intellectual refinement, with the act of reading symbolizing cultured femininity among the European elite of the early twentieth century. The piece is catalogued as a painting within the museum’s portrait genre.
Technique & Style
The portrait is executed in oil paint on a canvas support, measuring 115.6 cm in height and 73.7 cm in width. The handling reflects the refined academic tradition associated with Federico de Madrazo y Ochoa, characterized by smooth, controlled brushwork and a polished finish. The composition presents the sitter in profile, emphasizing classical restraint and an introspective mood.
The figure is depicted reading, a motif that underscores the intellectual and aristocratic milieu of the subject. The palette remains subdued, with subtle tonal gradations that enhance the three-dimensional modeling of the form.
History & Provenance
Federico de Madrazo y Ochoa's oil portrait of Laure de Sade, Comtesse Adhéaume de Chevigné, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, dated 1914, depicts the subject in profile reading and measures 115.6 cm in height by 73.7 cm in width. While the painting is confirmed to be part of the museum's holdings, the provided sources do not specify a unique accession or inventory number, nor do they list any past or future exhibition history for this specific portrait.
Overview
Federico de Madrazo y Ochoa, a Spanish artist from a prominent lineage, completed this oil portrait in 1914. Titled Laure de Sade, Comtesse Adhéaume de Chevigné, the painting depicts its namesake in a moment of quiet contemplation. The work is rendered with an Impressionistic approach, capturing the sitter's form and surroundings with a distinctive visual texture. It is presently held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Context
Federico de Madrazo y Ochoa, part of a distinguished Spanish artistic dynasty, was active in Madrid during the early 20th century. His artistic development was also influenced by time spent in Paris, a hub of artistic innovation. During his career, he engaged with various cultural figures, including collaborations with the French writer and filmmaker Jean Cocteau, indicating a broad engagement with contemporary artistic and literary circles.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Federico de Madrazo y Ochoa (1875, Rome – 1934, Madrid) was a Spanish painter working mostly in and around Madrid, although he also spent some time in Paris.
