The painting was created and exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1814. It remained at the Château de Barante until 2016, when it was acquired during the auction of the Barante family collection. Since then, it has been housed at the Roger-Quilliot Art Museum in Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme, France.
Amable Guillaume Prosper Brugière, Baron de Barante -June 10, 1782 to November 22, 1866 was a French statesman and historian known for his liberal political views and contribution to French historical writing. He was associated with the centre-left and was regarded as one of the early figures in France to openly identify himself as a liberal. His interest in politics and history shaped much of his public life.
One of his most important works was *Histoire des ducs de Bourgogne de la maison de Valois*, published in several volumes between 1824 and 1828. The work brought him considerable recognition and led to his election to the Académie Française.
The portrait of Prosper de Barante is an oil painting on canvas in a vertical format. It depicts him in a bust-length composition against a dark background. He is shown in three-quarter profile, dressed in black, with his face turned towards the viewer. His direct and confident gaze draws attention to his expression, while the dark clothing and background keep the focus on his face. The restrained use of colour gives the portrait a formal appearance, which is in keeping with the conventions of portrait painting during the period. Rather than relying on elaborate details or decorative elements, the composition presents the sitter through his appearance, posture and expression.
The painting was created in 1814 and exhibited at the Paris Salon in the same year. It remained at the Château de Barante until 2016, when it was acquired during the auction and dispersal of the Barante family collection. The painting is now held at the Roger-Quilliot Art Museum in Clermont-Ferrand, in the Puy-de-Dôme department of France. Its history reflects not only the artistic practices of early nineteenth-century France but also the changing ownership and preservation of family art collections over time.
The painting depicts the sombre, serious looking gentleman staring directly at the viewer. The desaturated colours, as well as the black clothes allow the focal point of the painting to be the face. The artwork retains much of the characteristics of the Romanticism movement that Girodet participated in, retaining the serious, formalism of portraiture in the late 18th and early 19th century.
