Césarine de Houdetot, Baronne de Barante, reading Paul et Virginie

Césarine de Houdetot, Baronne de Barante, reading Paul et Virginie
 1818

Gallery location
17th to 18th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
 

About this work

New acquisition

Through the support of generous donors and our Annual Appeal 2017, we have recently acquired an exquisite portrait of Césarine de Houdetot, shown against a backdrop depicting the island of Mauritius where she was born.

Artwork Details

Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
193.5 × 143.0 cm
Place/s of Execution
France
Inscription
inscribed in brown paint l.l.: Louise Bouteiller / 1818
Accession Number
2018.187
Department
International Painting
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Peter and Anne Greenham, Ross Adler AC and Fiona Adler, Alan and Mavourneen Cowen, donors to the 2017 NGV Foundation Annual Dinner and 2017 NGV Annual Appeal, 2018
Gallery location
17th to 18th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
Subjects (general)
Landscapes Portraits
Subjects (specific)
baronesses books headscarves Mauritius (nation) nobles (aristocrats) reading (activity) seated figures women (female humans)
Frame
Reproduction, 2017, based on a French Directoire frame. This project has been generously supported by NGV Foundation Board member Krystyna Campbell-Pretty.

Frame

Early postcard images of the Salon at Château de Barante (the family home of the sitter) show the painting framed as part of the architectural setting rather than in a stand-alone frame. The painting was purchased unframed and a reproduction frame was commissioned and fitted to the painting in the U.K. prior to its transport to Melbourne. The reproduction frame is based on an early 19th century French Directoire style frame. It has a timber scotia profile, moulded ornament and a gilded finish.

This frame has been generously supported by Krystyna Campbell-Pretty, Member, NGV Foundation Board.

Frame Details

Framemaker
Reproduction - commissioned by the NGV
Date
2017

Discover more

Video
Louise Bouteiller’s Césarine de Houdetot, Baronne de Barante, reading Paul et Virginie
Essay
Louise Bouteiller Césarine de Houdetot, Baronne de Barante reading Paul et Virginie

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