Portrait of Madame Récamier
Jacques-Louis David · 1800
Why it's great
A woman in a simple white gown reclines on a long Greek-style sofa in an empty room. David left it unfinished, and Madame Récamier was so annoyed that she hired another artist. The simple lines and clean look are ahead of their time. It's one of the most famous portraits of the 1800s.
Where to see it
📍 Louvre MuseumParis, France
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris and became the greatest painter of the Neoclassical style, inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. He supported the French Revolution and later became Napoleon's official painter. After Napoleon fell, he was forced into exile and spent his last years in Brussels, Belgium. He taught many famous students and shaped French art for generations.
