Charles Antoine Paré

About the Portrait

This oil on canvas portrait by French artist Charles Antoine Paré (1836-1876), painted in 1875, depicts a gentleman dressed in the formal military style of the First Empire period (1804-1814). This unframed painting represents an important example of 19th-century French academic portraiture, showcasing the artist's technical precision and attention to historical detail.

The subject is portrayed wearing an elegant dark navy military-style coat with elaborate silver embroidered trim and decorative braiding characteristic of Napoleonic-era fashion. The formal white cravat and high collar exemplify the refined masculine dress of the First Empire period. A heraldic coat of arms with a count's crown appears in the upper right corner, suggesting the subject's noble or official status.

Paré's sophisticated technique demonstrates the influence of French academic painting traditions, with smooth brushwork, precise modeling of facial features, and careful attention to textile details. The warm brown background and subtle lighting create an intimate yet formal composition typical of bourgeois portraiture of the period.

This artwork represents an important example of 19th-century French historical revival painting, where contemporary subjects were often depicted in the dress and style of earlier prestigious periods, particularly the Napoleonic era. The painting reflects the romanticization of the First Empire that was popular during the Second Empire and early Third Republic periods.

About the Artist

Charles Antoine Paré (1836-1876) was a French artist born on August 23, 1836, in Lyon, France. The son of a stained glass painter, he was exposed to artistic traditions from an early age. Paré showed exceptional talent, enrolling at the École des Beaux-Arts de Lyon at just 12 years old.

After completing his studies, he returned to the same institution as a drawing professor, sharing his expertise with future artists. Following his father's footsteps, Paré created stained glass windows for churches throughout Lyon and other French regions, demonstrating his versatility across different artistic mediums.

His painting work focused primarily on portraiture and figure studies, executed with the refined techniques characteristic of 19th-century French academic art. Paré's portraits showcase careful attention to detail and sophisticated brushwork that reflected his formal training at the École des Beaux-Arts.

Charles Antoine Paré died in Lyon on November 24, 1876, at age 40. Despite his brief career, he left behind a body of work that exemplifies the quality of regional French academic painting during the mid-19th century, successfully bridging fine art and decorative arts through his diverse artistic practice.

Technical Details

Artist: Charles Antoine Paré (1836-1876)
Signed and dated: 1875, lower right corner
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition with age-appropriate conservation work in the background area
Dimensions: 47 x 35 cm / 18½ x 13¾ in
Frame: Unframed
Origin: France

A refined example of French academic portraiture with historical costume revival from the Third Republic period.

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