Portrait de Madame Récamier
Reproduction print (likely offset lithograph or photogravure) on paper • After Jacques-Louis David
Style & Movement
Neoclassicism
Medium & Technique
Mechanical print process mimicking oil painting; original was oil on canvas. Framed with a multi-layered gilded and painted wooden frame.
Creation Period
Original created in 1800; this reproduction likely dates to the mid-20th century (c. 1940-1960).
Dimensions & Format
Small format; estimated image size 5x7 inches, with frame 9x11 inches. Landscape format.
Subject Description
A portrait of Juliette Récamier, a famous French socialite, reclining on a Directoire-style chaise longue (récamier). She wears a simple white antique-style sleeveless gown and is barefoot. The composition is sparse, featuring a Pompeian bronze candelabrum to the left against a dark, monochromatic background, emphasizing Hellenistic ideals of beauty and simplicity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The print surface appears stable, but there is noticeable age-toning to the surrounding matting.
Estimated Market Value
$30 - $75 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely a mass-produced decorative print acquired through a residential estate or antique shop. No visible gallery labels.
Art Historical Significance
The original painting is a masterpiece of the Neoclassical movement and is housed in the Louvre. It broke conventions of portraiture through its austerity and unfinished state (David left it incomplete after a disagreement with the sitter). This reproduction serves as a decorative homage to that legacy.
Notable Features
Features a classic mid-century 'frenched' mat style with hand-ruled lines and an orange-tinted border, common in boutique framing of the 1950s.
Condition Issues
Fading of pigments due to UV exposure; yellowing/acidification of the paper matting; minor scuffs to the gilded frame edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent further fading. If the print is of sentimental value, replace the acidic matboard with museum-quality acid-free matting to prevent 'mat burn'.