Jean-Baptiste Greuze

French, 1725 - 1805

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A pale-skinned man sits facing our left as he plays a harp while turning his face to smile at us in this vertical portrait painting. He looks out the corners of his light blue eyes under arched, gray brows. He has a rounded nose, pale pink lips, and a round face. Gray hair is brushed back from his high forehead and curls around his ears. His long fingers rest on the strings of the harp, and the ends of strings curl like wind-loosened strands of hair along the top edge. The man wears a pale mauve-purple cravat, and his snow-white, long-sleeved chemise is untucked and loose around his thighs. The cuff we see is open and folded back over a bright white shirt edged with lace. His dusky rose-pink breeches are unbuttoned at the knee over white stockings. The square-seated chair on which he sits is carved with garlands and floral patterns, which are gilded gold. The seat itself is topaz blue, and it has a low back. A similarly ornamented and gilded table along the back of the room holds a portfolio and roll of papers, the tooled and gilded spines of books, and a statuette to the right. The pale pinkish-orange statuette shows a woman holding a tablet and wearing a long, loose robe and head covering. Her body angles to our left and she looks off in that direction. The wall behind the table is mottled with smoky shades of gray and tan.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Ange Laurent de La Live de Jully, probably 1759, oil on canvas, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1946.7.8

Ange Laurent de La Live de Jully

Jean-Baptiste Greuze · probably 1759 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1946.7.8
This image depicts the upper body of a person, focusing on the head and shoulders. The person is slightly turned to the side, with their head tilted upwards and turned towards the left side of the image. The facial features include large, expressive eyes and slightly parted lips. The hair is curled and partially covered by a headscarf. The clothing appears draped loosely around the shoulders, with the fabric falling lightly. There is no visible jewelry or objects. The background is a light, unadorned surface with shading for contrast.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, A Young Girl Looking Upward, c. 1778, red chalk on laid paper, The Armand Hammer Collection, 1987.48.1

A Young Girl Looking Upward

Jean-Baptiste Greuze · c. 1778 · red chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1987.48.1
This print shows a crowded scene with multiple people clustered around a seated woman. On the right side, a man stands with one leg forward and gestures with his right hand. He wears a long coat, a hat, and tall boots, with a satchel hung over one shoulder and a tall rifle in his left hand that rests on the ground. The woman is on the left, seated in a chair or bed, surrounded by children. A few older women lean towards her as well. All of the people have light skin. The background features heavy drapery on the left and a dark wall on the right, with a guitar hanging on the wall to the left of center. Several dogs are near the man's feet, and an overturned basket and scattered items are on the floor.
Jean Massard, Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Mademoiselle Niquet, La mére bienaimée (The Well-Loved Mother), 1775, engraving with etching on laid paper, Katharine Shepard Fund, 2009.2.1

La mére bienaimée (The Well-Loved Mother)

Jean Massard, Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Mademoiselle Niquet · 1775 · engraving with etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2009.2.1
The artwork titled "The Ungrateful Son" is a detailed drawing of a man's head and shoulders, depicted in profile facing to the right. The man's hair is tousled and curly, flowing around his ears and neck. His facial features are sharply defined, with a strong nose and gaze. He is wearing a cloak or loose garment draped over his shoulders. The drawing is executed with fine lines in a reddish-brown tone on a beige background. The background is plain, emphasizing the detailed rendering of the man's face.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, The Ungrateful Son, c. 1770, red chalk on brown laid paper with framing line in black ink, Gift in memory of Douglas Huntly Gordon and in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.91.1

The Ungrateful Son

Jean-Baptiste Greuze · c. 1770 · red chalk on brown laid paper with framing line in black ink ·  Accession ID  1991.91.1
This is a drawing of a scene with nature, a statue, and ancient architecture. The drawing depicts a detailed and dynamic scene set in what appears to be a garden or wooded area with architectural elements. The central focus is a plinth with a statue of a small, winged figure holding a bow and arrow. Below, a draped figure appears startled or contemplative. To the right, there are glimpses of architectural structures suggesting an outdoor setting. The foliage is dense, with large trees framing the background. Ink and wash techniques are used to create light and shadow for a dramatic effect.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Sacrifice to Love, c. 1766, gray and black wash over graphite on laid paper, with framing line in dark brown ink, Bequest of Lore Heinemann in memory of her husband, Dr. Rudolf J. Heinemann, 2000.97.1

Sacrifice to Love

Jean-Baptiste Greuze · c. 1766 · gray and black wash over graphite on laid paper, with framing line in dark brown ink ·  Accession ID  2000.97.1
This drawing shows a woman's upper body and head in profile, tilted back and turned towards the left. Her features include fair skin, high cheekbones, pale eyebrows, a pointed nose, and thin lips slightly open to reveal her teeth. Her dark, curly hair is styled back, partially covered by a white headpiece. She is wearing a light-colored garment with ruffles around the neckline. The background is a solid gray-brown shade.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, The Well-Loved Mother, 1765, pastel with colored chalks and stumping on light golden-brown laid paper, New Century Fund, 2000.15.1

The Well-Loved Mother

Jean-Baptiste Greuze · 1765 · pastel with colored chalks and stumping on light golden-brown laid paper ·  Accession ID  2000.15.1
The image shows a close-up view of an older man, focusing on his head and upper torso. He is depicted lying back, with his head tilted slightly upward and to his right. His facial features are prominent, showcasing deep-set eyes, a long nose, and a slightly open mouth with visible lines around it. The man has long, wavy, gray hair that cascades down around his shoulders. He is wearing a light-colored scarf loosely tied around his neck, complementing his neutral-toned shirt. The background is a subdued, monochromatic tone.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Bust of an Old Man, probably 1763, red, black, and white chalks with stumping and erasure on light brown laid paper, with later framing line in dark brown ink, Woodner Collection, Gift of Dian Woodner, 2011.42.3

Bust of an Old Man

Jean-Baptiste Greuze · probably 1763 · red, black, and white chalks with stumping and erasure on light brown laid paper, with later framing line in dark brown ink ·  Accession ID  2011.42.3
This is a drawing of a dog lying down. The drawing is executed with a medium that gives a reddish-brown tone. It depicts the dog in a relaxed pose, lying on its side with its back to the viewer, showing its textured fur. The artist focuses on capturing the texture and volume of the fur with loose, flowing lines. The background is plain, emphasizing the details of the fur. Light and shadow are depicted falling across the folds of fur, suggesting a gentle light source.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, A Dog, c. 1760, red chalk on laid paper, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 2014.18.14

A Dog

Jean-Baptiste Greuze · c. 1760 · red chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2014.18.14
The image shows two figures: an adult seated and a child standing beside them. The adult is draped in a cloak covering their head and shoulders. Their eyes are closed, and their expression appears gentle. The child is wearing a one-piece outfit and is leaning slightly forward. Next to the child is a small animal. Objects and containers are to the left side of the adult. The setting has simple furnishings with wooden surfaces and shadowed walls. The image has a vintage appearance with sketch-like qualities in monochromatic tones.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, A Tired Woman with Two Children, 1750/1761, pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk on laid paper; laid down, The Armand Hammer Collection, 1991.217.15

A Tired Woman with Two Children

Jean-Baptiste Greuze · 1750/1761 · pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk on laid paper; laid down ·  Accession ID  1991.217.15
The image depicts a detailed drawing of a person's head and shoulders. The individual is shown in a three-quarter view with their head slightly tilted back and turned to the side, looking upward. The person has facial features with a smooth complexion, prominent cheekbones, and an attentive expression. They have light, wavy hair tied into a bun, revealing fine, soft strands. The individual wears a garment draped over their shoulders, indicated by soft lines suggesting fabric folds. The background is plain with a simple border around the sketch, highlighting the person's profile and expression.
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Head of a Woman Looking Back Over Her Shoulder, red chalk on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1981.50.1

Head of a Woman Looking Back Over Her Shoulder

Jean-Baptiste Greuze · red chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1981.50.1

Bibliography

1972

  • Brookner, Anita. Greuze: The Rise and Fall of an Eighteenth-Century Phenomenon. London, 1972.

1976

  • Munhall, Edgar. Jean-Baptiste Greuze 1725-1805. Exh. cat. Wadsworth Athenaeum, Hartford; The California Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco; Musée des Beaux-Arts, Dijon, 1976-1977. Hartford,1976.

2002

  • Munhall, Edgar. Greuze the Draftsman. Exh cat. Frick Collection, New York; J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. London, 2002.

2005

  • Barker, Emma. Greuze and the Painting of Sentiment. Cambridge, 2005.

2009

  • Conisbee, Philip, et al. French Paintings of the Fifteenth through the Eighteenth Century. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. Washington, D.C., 2009: 246.