Artwork

Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792)

Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792), by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, oil, 1763
Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792), by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, oil, 1763

Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Baptiste Greuze. It dates from 1763 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Executed by Jean‑Baptiste Greuze in 1763, the oil on canvas portrait was originally owned by Jacques Doucet and now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The painting portrays Jean‑Jacques Caffieri, a prominent French figure of the mid‑18th century, as the central subject. Executed by Jean‑Baptiste Greuze in 1763, the oil on canvas portrait was originally owned by Jacques Doucet and now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its composition emphasizes the sitter’s dignified posture and refined attire, reflecting the status and cultural aspirations of the French elite during the Ancien Régime.

By focusing on Caffieri’s likeness, the work serves as a visual record of his public identity and the social values associated with wealth and learning in that period.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1763, this portrait of the sculptor Jean-Jacques Caffieri is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 64.1 cm in height and 52.7 cm in width. As a formal portrait, the composition focuses on the depiction of the male subject, Caffieri himself.

The piece is classified within the genre of portraiture and utilizes traditional oil paints applied to a woven canvas support, characteristic of mid-eighteenth-century French painting techniques.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Jean-Jacques Caffieri was executed in 1763 by Jean-Baptiste Greuze using oil on canvas;. The work measures 64.1 × 52.7 cm and depicts the sitter as a man. It was originally in the collection of Jacques Doucet before entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view.

The painting’s creation is documented as part of Greuze’s portraiture in 1763, reflecting the artist’s practice of rendering notable contemporaries;.

The portrait of Jean Jacques Caffieri by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, painted in 1763, is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as recorded in its collection data. Before entering that collection, the painting was owned by the couturier and collector Jacques Doucet. The work is catalogued as an oil on canvas measuring 64.1 cm in height by 52.7 cm in width, and is classified within the Met's holdings as a portrait.

No exhibition history beyond its current placement in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection is documented in the available sources.

Context

The 1763 oil portrait of Jean-Jacques Caffieri by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, recorded in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and formerly owned by Jacques Doucet, exemplifies mid‑18th‑century French portraiture; its dimensions (64.1 × 52.7 cm) and material (oil on canvas) are documented, and the work depicts the sitter as a man of intellectual standing. The painting’s provenance and genre reflect the status of its subject within Enlightenment circles, and its inclusion in a major museum collection underscores its historical significance.

Overview

This 1763 oil painting by Jean-Baptiste Greuze presents a portrait of the sculptor Jean Jacques Caffieri. As a notable example of Rococo portraiture, the work captures a contemporary figure with refined elegance. Greuze, a prominent French painter of the mid-18th century, created this piece, which is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. It offers insight into the artistic circles of the Enlightenment era.

Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man, Jean-Baptiste Perronneau

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Artist

Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Jean-Baptiste Greuze (French pronunciation: 21 August 1725 – 4 March 1805) was a French painter of portraits, genre scenes, and history painting.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792)?

Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792) was painted by Jean-Baptiste Greuze in 1763-01-01.

Where can I see Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792)?

Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792)?

Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792) is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792)?

Museum-quality prints of Jean Jacques Caffieri (1725–1792) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.