Who painted A Trombonist?

A Trombonist was painted by Henri-François Riesener in 1807.

Where can I see A Trombonist?

A Trombonist is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

What movement is A Trombonist?

A Trombonist is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of A Trombonist?

Museum-quality prints of A Trombonist are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Trombonist

Henri-François Riesener , 1807

A Trombonist is an oil painting by the Realist artist Henri-François Riesener. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

About this work

Technique & Style

A Trombonist is an oil painting on canvas created by Henri‑François Riesener. The work portrays a man holding a trombone and is classified as a portrait. It is part of the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it is displayed in its galleries.

History & Provenance

The painting A Trombonist was created by Henri-François Riesener and entered the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it remains on display.

The painting A Trombonist was created by Henri-François Riesener and entered the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it remains on display.

The work was commissioned as a portrait featuring a man playing a trombone, reflecting Riesener's focus on portraiture.

It is executed in oil paint on canvas and classified within the portrait genre.

The painting A Trombonist by Henri-François Riesener is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit. The work, executed in oil on canvas, depicts a man playing a trombone and is classified as a portrait. While the artwork is confirmed to be part of the museum's holdings, the provided records do not specify an inventory or accession number, nor do they list any past or current exhibitions for this piece.

Overview

Henri‑François Riesener, a French portraitist active in the early nineteenth century, painted A Trombonist circa 1807 in oil. The work belongs to the realist tendency of its time, presenting a single figure with careful attention to material detail. It is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ permanent collection.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas shows a gentleman dressed in formal late‑eighteenth‑century attire, his right hand gripping a trombone while his left holds a folded sheet of paper. A watch fob hangs from his chain, emphasizing his social standing. The presence of the instrument suggests a professional or amateur musician, inviting viewers to consider the role of music in genteel society.

Context

Created during the Napoleonic era, the portrait reflects the period’s fascination with individual achievement and the rising status of musicians within bourgeois circles. The formal dress and accessories align with contemporary fashions of the French aristocracy, while the realistic rendering mirrors the broader shift toward depicting everyday subjects with fidelity.