Artwork
Alfred Dedreux (1810–1860) as a Child
Alfred Dedreux (1810–1860) as a Child is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Théodore Géricault. It dates from 1819 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the individual identity of de Dreux, capturing him specifically as a child rather than through allegorical or symbolic attributes.
Executed in 1819, this oil painting functions as a portrait of Alfred de Dreux during his childhood. The work's primary iconography is straightforward, focusing entirely on the likeness of the young boy who would later become a noted artist himself. As a genre piece, it serves to document the subject's youthful appearance prior to his own artistic career.
The composition centers on the individual identity of de Dreux, capturing him specifically as a child rather than through allegorical or symbolic attributes. Consequently, the painting represents a direct biographical record of the sitter at a specific stage in his life, emphasizing his status as the sole main subject without additional narrative elements.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint on canvas, the portrait measures 45.7 by 38.1 centimeters and is classified as a painting in the portrait genre. Created by Théodore Géricault in 1819, the work depicts the young Alfred de Dreux as a boy. The medium and support are consistent with Géricault's standard practice for small-scale portrait commissions of the period, allowing for the fluid handling and tonal modeling characteristic of his oil technique. The compact dimensions and oil-on-canvas format support a direct, intimate characterization of the sitter.
History & Provenance
The work titled Alfred Dedreux (1810–1860) as a Child was executed by Théodore Géricault in 1819 using oil on canvas, measuring 45.7 × 38.1 cm. It portrays the young Alfred de Dreux and was classified as a portrait. The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its creation is documented in contemporary records as having taken place in 1819, and it has been part of the museum’s holdings since its acquisition.
The painting has been held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the institution's collection. According to the Wikidata record, the work's location is listed as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and its medium is oil paint on canvas, with dimensions of 45.7 cm in height and 38.1 cm in width. The portrait, completed in 1819 by Théodore Géricault, depicts Alfred de Dreux as a boy.
No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources, nor is any exhibition history recorded beyond its placement within the Metropolitan Museum of Art's holdings.
Overview
Théodore Géricault, a key figure in the French Romantic movement, painted this oil portrait of Alfred Dedreux in 1819. The work captures the young Alfred, who would later become a notable animal painter, during his childhood. This painting exemplifies Géricault's early contributions to Romanticism and is held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering insight into the artist's approach to portraiture.
Context
Created during a pivotal period in French art, this portrait reflects Théodore Géricault's pioneering role in the Romantic movement. Despite his life being cut short at the age of 32, Géricault's brief but impactful career significantly shaped the direction of early 19th-century painting. This work, made a few years before his celebrated Raft of the Medusa, demonstrates his early mastery of portraiture and his distinctive artistic vision.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault (French:; 26 September 1791 – 26 January 1824) was a French painter and lithographer.
