plate no. 9522

Portrait of Alphonse Leroy

Jacques-Louis David, 1783

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitmandeskbooksscientific instrumentfeather

From the record

Dimensions: 72 cm high × 91 cm wide
Institution: Musée Fabre
Location: Musée Fabre
Inception: 1783
Materials: oil paint, canvas
Movement: Neoclassicism, Naturalism

Alphonse-Louis Leroy
man
sitting
home office
writing table
chair
book
writing implement

Wikipedia article Wikidata item Q3399505

from the sources

The painting is a 1783 oil-on-canvas portrait of the doctor and man-midwife Alphonse Leroy by Jacques-Louis David. en.wikipedia.org
“Portrait of Alphonse Leroy is a 1783 oil-on-canvas portrait of doctor and man-midwife Alphonse Leroy by the French Neoclassical artist Jacques-Louis David.”
The painting is held by the Musée Fabre in Montpellier, which purchased it in 1829. en.wikipedia.org
“It is now in the Musée Fabre in Montpellier, which bought it in 1829.”
Leroy is shown looking toward the viewer and leaning on a closed copy of Hippocrates' Morbi mulierum, a work on women's illnesses. en.wikipedia.org
“The painting shows its subject looking towards the spectator and leaning on a closed copy of Hippocrates' Morbi mulierum, a work on women's illnesses.”
A 'lampe à quinquet' on the desk was invented by Leroy himself. en.wikipedia.org
“On the desk is a 'lampe à quinquet', invented by Leroy himself.”
The lamp and book allude to Cesare Ripa's Iconologia, which names them as attributes of a study. en.wikipedia.org
“Together the lamp and book make reference to Cesare Ripa's Iconologia, which states these are the attributes of a study.”
The detailed naturalism and bright tonality reflect Flemish influence on David from his 1781 stay in Flanders. en.wikipedia.org
“The naturalistic attention to detail and its bright tonality show how David was influenced by Flemish painters during his 1781 stay in Flanders.”
David's pupil Jean-François Garneray helped paint the hands and fabrics. en.wikipedia.org
“One of his pupils, Jean-François Garneray, assisted in painting the hands and fabrics.”
The painting was first exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1783. en.wikipedia.org
“The painting was first exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1783.”

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, desk, and objects.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and the main shadows on the figure and objects.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones using thin layers of paint, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 04
Define the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 05
Render the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Paint the desk, books, and scientific instrument, capturing their textures and details.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark background. Mix red and umber for the jacket.

techniques