Attributed to Edouard Louis Dubufe

Attributed to EDOUARD LOUIS DUBUFE (France, 1819-1883)
"Portrait of Countess Hallez Claparede".
Oil on canvas.
Measurements: 116 x 90 cm; 146 x 120 cm (frame).

Large oil on canvas portrait of a French aristocrat. Attributed to Edouard Louis Dubufe, it is believed that it could be the Countess Hallez Claparede, lady-in-waiting of the Empress Eugénie.

The painting presents a young lady in a three-quarter pose. Her gaze is serene, direct and confident, with large dark eyes acting as the emotional focal point of the portrait. Her expression is restrained, reflecting the composure and decorum expected of a woman of her position. Her pale complexion contrasts beautifully with her dark hair, combed with a middle parting and slicked back, following the fashion of the time.

The dress is a clear indicator of the fashion and luxury of the court of the Empress Eugenie. She wears a sumptuous evening dress with a wide neckline that leaves the shoulders bare, typical of the period. The dress is made with layers of ruffles of a flowing fabric, probably tulle or organza, with subtle touches of blue and pink trim, creating an ethereal effect. An exquisite gold brooch is pinned at the center of her neckline, and a pink silk bow falls elegantly over the skirt. An intricately detailed black lace shawl drapes over her arms, creating a strong and sophisticated contrast to the whiteness of the dress. In her left hand, she delicately holds a folded fan.

The side lighting highlights the countess's face, neck and shoulders, gently modeling her features and making her emerge from a dark, sumptuous background. The artist delights in the representation of the different textures: the velvety softness of the red fabric on which the arm rests, the ethereal transparency of the ruffles, the metallic shine of the brooch, the delicacy of the lace and the smoothness of the skin of the sitter. The setting is opulent but discreet, so as not to detract from the figure's prominence. A dark green wallpaper or damask with floral motifs can be seen. To the left, the gilt frame of another painting suggests a luxurious interior.

Through Dubufe's mastery, the work synthesizes the ideal of beauty, elegance and refinement of high society during the reign of Napoleon III.

Dubufe was born in Paris. His father was the painter Claude Marie Dubufe, who gave him his first art lessons. Later he studied with Paul Delaroche at the École des Beaux-arts. In 1839 he received the third class medal at the "Salon des Artistes Français". In 1842 he married Juliette Zimmerman (daughter of the composer and pianist Pierre-Joseph-Guillaume Zimmerman), who was a sculptor. The composer Charles Gounod became Édouard's brother-in-law (and lifelong friend) when he married Juliette's sister Anna. During a stay in England between 1848 and 1851, Dubufe discovered the great English portraitists, whom he would try to emulate. His official career as a portrait painter began in 1853 with portraits of Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. That same year her son Guillaume, who would also become a famous painter, was born. In 1855, Juliette died in childbirth. Dubufe continued to enjoy great success among the aristocracy, and the emperor commissioned him to paint the Congress of Paris in 1856. Subsequently, the empress requested his help to decorate her "Salon Bleu" in the Tuileries Palace.