Portrait of Violinist Jean Vidal (1789–1867)
Medium
black and gray chalk, with touches of white chalk, on tan wove paper
Dimensions
image: 75.4 × 54.1 cm · sheet with border: 91.5 × 64.4 cm
Classification
Drawing
Department
Drawings
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
2013.47
Tags
About this artwork
This portrait is the most finished known work by Adrien Victor Auger, who broke from the idealized forms and historical subjects promoted by his teacher, Jacques-Louis David (whose work is nearby). In this drawing, Auger referenced contemporary Parisian cultural life, depicting the accomplished musician Jean Vidal as he embarked on an illustrious career in violin performance. Vidal is fashionably attired and gazes dreamily, signifying his modernity and artistic temperament. Auger rendered the vi...