Edouard Pingret, élève De David - Large Portrait of an Empire Period Man 1813 - 103cm X 121cm

2021 Year of Napoleon

Early 19th century French school, large portrait of a notable under the Empire seated at his work table. He is dressed in a high-collared blue frock coat, white lace shirt and tie, and white casimir bridge pants like those worn by Napoleon. The antique hairstyle is very fashionable for the Empire, and the hand-in-jacket stance is a clear tribute to the Emperor. The eyes are keen, the character well marked. Our man seems a force of nature, a giant, a very tall man for his time. The portrait is presented in a handsome Restauration-period wood frame gilded with gold leaf. Oil on canvas, Empire period, signed E Pingret and dated 1813 lower left.

Edouard Pingret 1785-1869 was a French neoclassical painter who specialized in historical and battle scenes, portraits and lithographs. He studied with Jacques-Louis David and Jean-Baptiste Regnault, then at the Académie Saint Luc in Rome. Born into the bourgeoisie, his father was a member of the Convention, which gave him a network in the upper echelons of power that Edouard Pingret probably benefited from, in addition to his qualities as a painter. In 1808, he painted a portrait of Napoleon. From 1810, he exhibited at the Paris Salons, where he received several medals. Under the Restoration, he received several official commissions from Louis Philippe (his portrait with Queen Victoria and several paintings for the battle gallery at the Château de Versailles). From 1851 onwards, he moved to Mexico, where he enjoyed great success with the Court and the great Mexican families.

A fine museum-quality painting in a superb frame. Large monumental format. A fine amateur piece.

Excellent condition, the painting was refinished in the 19th century, we had it cleaned. UV light showed an old restoration on the pants, but the main elements (the face) are original and in the master's hand. The frame is gilded with gold leaf and has also been cleaned. All in excellent condition.

Frame dimensions: 103 by 121cm
Canvas dimensions: 81.5cm by 100.5cm

Ref: HBD9T94C8N