Artwork
Portrait of Hortense de Perregaux, Duchess of Ragusa
Portrait of Hortense de Perregaux, Duchess of Ragusa is an unspecified painting by the Neoclassicist artist Jean-Baptiste Isabey. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The work was created as a commissioned likeness of the sitter, reflecting Isabey’s practice of producing intimate portrait miniatures for aristocratic patrons.
The miniature portrait of Anne-Marie-Hortense Perregaux, later known as Hortense de Perregaux, Duchess of Ragusa, was executed in 1818 by French miniaturist Jean-Baptiste Isabey. The work was created as a commissioned likeness of the sitter, reflecting Isabey’s practice of producing intimate portrait miniatures for aristocratic patrons. After its completion, the piece entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains today.
Its provenance is documented through the museum’s acquisition records, linking the artwork directly to its original commission and subsequent ownership by the institution.
The portrait miniature of Hortense de Perregaux, Duchess of Ragusa, by Jean-Baptiste Isabey is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it forms part of the museum's collection. Its inventory number is 1942.1146, as recorded in the Wikidata entry for the work. The piece was created in 1818 and entered the Cleveland Museum of Art's holdings, where it remains accessible as a portrait miniature depicting Anne-Marie-Hortense Perregaux.
No prior exhibition history beyond its presence in the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This painting, Portrait of Hortense de Perregaux, Duchess of Ragusa, was created in 1818 by the French artist Jean-Baptiste Isabey. It captures Anne-Marie-Hortense Perregaux, a notable figure of her era. The work exemplifies the Neoclassical style prevalent during the First Empire and Restoration periods in France, reflecting the aesthetic preferences of the time. This oil painting is now part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Anne-Marie-Hortense Perregaux, who held the title of Duchess of Ragusa. Her elevated status is conveyed through the formal presentation typical of portraiture from this period. Such works served not only as personal likenesses but also as assertions of social standing and identity within the aristocratic circles of early 19th-century France.
Technique & Style
Isabey's painting aligns with the Neoclassical movement, characterized by its emphasis on clarity, order, and idealized forms. Neoclassical portraits often feature a restrained elegance, precise draftsmanship, and a focus on the sitter's dignity rather than overt emotional expression. This approach aimed to evoke classical ideals of beauty and decorum, reflecting the prevailing artistic tastes of the time.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Baptiste Isabey (French pronunciation:; 11 April 1767 – 18 April 1855) was a French artist during both the First Empire and the Restoration.
