Public collection via the Cleveland Museum of Art
AT-00009204About the Artwork
Known as a tête d'expression or "expressive head," this painting represents an essential part of the academic training of history painters who specialized in religious, mythological, or historical subjects. In 1760, such exercises became standard at the École des Beaux-Arts (School of Fine Arts) in Paris, then known as Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture. Focusing on the relationship between morality and beauty, the goal of a history painter is not only to create a pleasing image, but also to represent the emotions of the soul.
Provenance
6 April 1825: Sale?: Hôtel de Bullion, Didot Collection, Paris, France, 6 April 1825 (lot 114). November-1 December 1835: Sale: Baron Gros, Paris, France, November-1 December 1835 (lot 127). Augustin Alexandre Dumont (1801-1884), Paris, France by 1913: Mme Audard by 1929-1932: Henry G. Dalton (1862-1932), Cleveland, OH, left to his grandson, George S. Kendrick 1932-1952: George S. Kendrick (1899-1979), Cleveland, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art 1952-: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Exhibition history
Baron Gros, Painter of Battles: The First Romantic Painter. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 8-April 15, 1956). Jacques-Louis David. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France (October 26, 1988-February 12, 1989); Musée National de Château de Versailles, 78 008 Versailles cedex, France (October 26, 1988-February 12, 1989).
Data retrieved from the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 8, 2026. The museum may have updated its record since.
Quick Overview
- Artist
- Jacques-Louis David (French, 1748–1825)
- Date
- c. 1780
- Medium
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- Framed: 76 x 66 x 8 cm (29 15/16 x 26 x 3 1/8 in.); Unframed: 55.2 x 46 cm (21 3/4 x 18 1/8 in.)
- Type
- Painting
- Classification
- Painting
- Department
- European Painting and Sculpture
- Credit line
- Gift of George S. Kendrick
- Accession no.
- 1952.542
More by Jacques-Louis David in museum collections
Open-access museum record · AT-00009204
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