Portrait d’Ernest Renan (1823-1892), philosophe (1889)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Jean Béraud, a celebrated French painter known for his precise and intricate Parisian scenes, took a distinctive turn in his 1889 portrait of the renowned philosopher and writer, Ernest Renan. In this compelling work, Béraud captures Renan towards the end of his life, presenting a man whose intellectual vigor is matched by the weight of his years.The portrait stands out with its straightforward and unembellished style, focusing entirely on Renan, who is seated against a nondescript, muted background that directs all attention to the sitter himself. Renan is dressed in a formal black suit with stark white cuffs peaking from his sleeves, suggesting the conventional respectability and solemnity fitting a person of his intellectual stature.His face, under a shock of unruly white hair, is marked by deep lines and a somber expression, reflecting perhaps the depth of his thoughts and the fatigue of age. His hands, also detailed and expressive, rest gently on his lap. A touch of warmth emanates from the otherwise subdued color palette, highlighting the humanity of the philosopher rather than his celebrity.Overall, Béraud's "Portrait d’Ernest Renan, philosophe" does more than depict a figure; it evokes the essence of the man, his profound intellect, and the serene acceptance of his advanced years.
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Jean Béraud was a French painter renowned for his numerous paintings depicting the life of Paris, and the nightlife of Paris society. Pictures of the Champs Elysees, cafés, Montmartre and the banks of the Seine are precisely detailed illustrations of everyday Parisian life during the "Belle Époque". He also painted religious subjects in a contemporary setting.