Artwork

Portrait of Charles-Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie comte d'Angiviller (1730-1809)

Portrait of Charles-Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie comte d'Angiviller (1730-1809) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joseph Siffred Duplessis. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses entirely on the individual, serving as a visual testament to his position and influence during the final years of the Ancien Régime.

The work depicts Charles-Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie, comte d'Angiviller, the French nobleman and administrator who served as the Director General of the King's Buildings. Painted in 1784 by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, the portrait presents the sitter in his official capacity, reflecting his high status within the royal court of Louis XVI. As a formal state portrait, the image functions to affirm the subject's authority and role in overseeing the French royal art collections and architectural projects of the era.

The composition focuses entirely on the individual, serving as a visual testament to his position and influence during the final years of the Ancien Régime.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on canvas measuring 1450 by 1137 units, depicting Charles-Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie, comte d'Angiviller. Executed in 1784 by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis, it belongs to the portrait genre and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The formal qualities reflect the conventions of 18th-century French portraiture, emphasizing precise rendering and restrained composition.

History & Provenance

The portrait was commissioned in 1784, as indicated by the inception date recorded for the work. It was painted by Joseph Siffred Duplessis in oil on canvas, depicting Charles-Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie, comte d’Angiviller. By the early 21st century, the painting entered the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it is listed as part of the museum’s holdings.

The Portrait of Charles-Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie comte d'Angiviller is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created by Joseph Siffred Duplessis in 1784, the oil-on-canvas work depicts the French administrator and remains part of this Danish museum's permanent holdings. The specific inventory or accession number for the painting is not provided in the available records.

Overview

Joseph‑Siffred Duplessis painted this oil portrait in 1792, presenting Charles‑Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie, comte d’Angiviller (1730‑1809). The sitter is shown seated in an upholstered chair, his attire dominated by a purple coat over a white shirt, a red flower accenting his lapel, and a long sheet of paper held in his right hand. The work is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection.

Context

Duplessis was a leading portraitist of his era, known for capturing the likenesses of officials and intellectuals. This work aligns with the period’s emphasis on personal virtue and civic responsibility, portraying a public figure in a sober yet elegant manner that contrasts with the more flamboyant Rococo portraiture of earlier decades.