An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Portrait of Clémentine (Mrs. Alphonse) Karr1845
Artist: Henri Lehmann
French, 1814 - 1882
Portrait of Cleméntine Karr
26 x 19 7/8 in. (66.0 x 50.5 cm)
Oil on canvas
Painting
France
19th century
The Christina N. and Swan J. Turnblad Memorial Fund
In the soft glow of history, we find ourselves in a story woven with artistry and connection. In the heart of Germany, a gifted young artist named Henri Lehmann was nurtured under the watchful eye of the illustrious Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, one of the most revered masters of his time. It all began amidst the vibrant streets of Paris where Lehmann first found his footing. Each stroke of his brush was a testament to Ingres's teachings, crafting portraits that sang with life and personality.
As time moved with its reliable rhythm, Lehmann ventured further, seeking inspiration in the ancient beauty of Rome. There, he continued to hone his craft, encapsulating emotions and stories within the frames of his portraits. These canvases became windows to the souls of his sitters, drawing the viewer into intimate moments of connection.
One such subject—a woman of notable grace and history—was tied deeply to the literary world through her marriage to Alphonse Karr, a well-known French critic and novelist. Her presence was not just a testament to her own story but also an echo of the rich relations that flourished within the German community nestled in the vibrant tapestry of Paris.
This connection between Lehmann and his muse, layered with the threads of culture and legacy, intertwines their fates. The very exhibition of Lehmann’s work, showcased in 1983 at the Musée Carnavalet and skillfully catalogued by Marie-Madeleine Aubrun, invites us to explore these stories more deeply. The meticulous research of Lynne Ambrosini in 2000 further confirmed the relationships and connections that fanned out from the brush of Lehmann, revealing the intricate web of artistry, romance, and cultural ties that defined an era.
Through the peaceful lens of time, we see how Lehmann not only painted portraits but also captured the very essence of human connection, reminding us that every canvas tells a larger story, one that continues to resonate with whispers of the past.
About the artist
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