Henri-Pierre Danloux, 'The Baron de Besenval in his Salon de Compagnie', 1791.
London, The National Gallery.

Recent Acquisition

'The Baron de Besenval in his Salon de Compagnie'

about 1791

Henri-Pierre Danloux
(1753 - 1809)

NG6598

The National Gallery is delighted to announce that it has acquired an exquisite portrait by the 18th-century French painter Henri-Pierre Danloux.

Painted in 1791, the portrait is of Baron de Besenval. He was commander-in-chief of France's Swiss Guards at the outset of the French Revolution during which he was briefly imprisoned.

The work is a fine example of the draughtsmanship and harmonious colour for which Danloux was renowned.

In this portrait, painted after Besenval's retirement from military service, the sitter is shown as the well-known art collector that he was, and his refined taste is matched by Danloux's technique and attention to detail.

The painting of different fabrics and materials is done with consummate skill. Identifiable among the pictures shown on the wall behind Besenval are works by the Dutch painters Poelenburg, Van de Velde, Teniers, Pynacker and Cuyp. This portrait was painted when the sitter's world had been turned upside down, but his relaxed pose and genial smile suggest he is looking back to a more leisured, less turbulent time.

Danloux (1753 - 1809) worked mainly as a portraitist. After studying with the genre painter Nicolas-Bernard Lépicié, he joined the studio of the history painter Joseph-Marie Vien.

In 1775 he followed Vien to Rome where he worked for 10 years before returning to Paris. In 1789 he was commissioned to make portraits of the French royal family and in 1791 he exhibited at the Paris Salon.

A convinced royalist, Danloux emigrated to London in 1792. There he painted some British patrons, but most of his London sitters were French émigrés.

He returned to Paris in 1801. Danloux's elegant style ensured him a substantial following in the aristocratic circles of Paris, Rome and London.

Oil on canvas, 46.5 x 37 cm

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