Who painted The Painter Louis Joseph Maurice (1730–1820)?

The Painter Louis Joseph Maurice (1730–1820) was painted by Peter Adolf Hall in 1772-01-01.

Where can I see The Painter Louis Joseph Maurice (1730–1820)?

The Painter Louis Joseph Maurice (1730–1820) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Painter Louis Joseph Maurice (1730–1820)?

The Painter Louis Joseph Maurice (1730–1820) is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

The Painter Louis Joseph Maurice (1730–1820)

Peter Adolf Hall , 1772

The Painter Louis Joseph Maurice (1730–1820) is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Peter Adolf Hall. It dates from 1772 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The iconography is straightforward, focusing entirely on the likeness of the sitter, who is identified specifically as an artist and a man.

Executed in 1772 by Peter Adolf Hall, this work functions as a formal portrait depicting Louis-Joseph Maurice. The iconography is straightforward, focusing entirely on the likeness of the sitter, who is identified specifically as an artist and a man. As a genre portrait, the image serves primarily as a documentary record of Maurice's appearance rather than employing complex allegorical symbolism or narrative scenes.

The composition centers on the individual's identity, representing him within the context of his profession and personal presence. No additional symbolic attributes or metaphorical meanings regarding the subject are detailed in the available records beyond his designation as the painter Louis-Joseph Maurice.

History & Provenance

The portrait titled The Painter Louis Joseph Maurice (1730–1820) was executed by Peter Adolf Hall in 1772. It depicts the sitter Louis‑Joseph Maurice and was painted as a likeness of the subject. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view in New York.

Its creation is documented by contemporary records indicating Hall’s authorship and the year of execution, and the painting’s dimensions measure 8.4 by 6.7 units. No further details about a specific commission or early ownership are recorded in the available sources.

Overview

This painting, created in 1772 by Peter Adolf Hall, portrays the artist Louis-Joseph Maurice. Hall, a Swedish-French painter primarily recognized for his miniature portraits, executed this work in a style characteristic of the Rococo movement. The artwork is currently part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, offering insight into 18th-century portraiture and artistic circles.

Technique & Style

Hall's approach to this portrait reflects the delicate and refined aesthetics of the Rococo period. He rendered the subject with soft illumination, allowing the face to appear subtly radiant and the skin texture smooth. Gentle shadows define the contours, ensuring the viewer's attention remains on Maurice's composed expression and the details of his attire against the subdued, dark background.

Portrait de Joseph Benoît Suvée, Adélaïde Labille-Guiard

Artist & collection

Artist

Peter Adolf Hall

Peter Adolf Hall, also known as PA Hall or Peter Adolphe Hall, (23 February 1739 in Borås – 15 May 1793 in Liège), was a Swedish-French artist who mainly devoted himself to miniature painting.