Memorable Portraits

Portraits are a way of looking into the hearts and souls of well-known people. Famous artists have painted some of the most incredible and realistic-looking portraits over the centuries.

Portrait of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw John Singer Sargent

Lady Agnew of Lochnaw was the wife of Sir Andrew Agnew, 9th Baronet. This painting was commissioned in 1892 and painted by Italian-born American portrait artist John Singer Sargent. The Lady was painted in oil on canvas wearing a white gown with lilac accents. Chinese silk wall hangings from the eighteenth century and French chairs are depicted. This artwork was finished in six sessions. In 1893 it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, England establishing Lady Agnew as a society hostess and giving the artist the status of portrait painter.

Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer I Gustav Klimt

Adele Bloch-Bauer was a Viennese socialite, salon hostess, and patron of the arts from Austria-Hungary. She was married to sugar industrialist Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer. Her portrait was created as an oil on canvas with gold leaf by Austrian symbolist artist Gustav Klimt. In this painting, the woman is depicted with her face encircled by a golden halo and she wears expensive jewelry like the diamond choker given to her as a wedding gift. This artwork was stolen by Nazis in 1941 and recovered 60 years later.

Portrait of Madame de Florian Giovanni Boldini

Marthe de Florian was a French demimondaine and a socialite and actress during the Belle Epoque. The lady was known for having famous lovers. Her portrait was painted by Italian portrait painter Giovanni Boldini, who lived and worked in Paris, France through most of his career. The lady fled to the south of France during WW II never returning to her Paris apartment. In 2010 her apartment was discovered and there was her portrait depicting her in a pink muslin evening gown. It is not known exactly when Boldini created the portrait but it could have been done in 1888 when the actress was 24 years old.

Portrait of Ludwig Van Beethoven When Composing the Missa Solemnis Karl Joseph Stieler

German artist Karl Joseph Stieler created this portrait of German composer and pianist Ludwig Van Beethoven in the first part of the 19th century. This artwork became the most well-known and often copied. In the painting. Beethoven is depicted as if sitting in a forest, illuminated by his manuscript in his left hand awaiting inspiration for his Missa solemnis in D major, Op. 123.

Chandos Portrait of William Shakespeare John Taylor

English artist John Taylor painted this well-known portrait that is believed to be of English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. The Chandos Portrait is an oil on canvas painted between 1600 and 1610. The portrait was given the name of its previous owner the Duke of Chandos.

The Milkmaid Johannes Vermeer

This artwork is among the best-known paintings of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. The portrait depicts a milkmaid doing her chores with detail given to all that she has to do.

The Emperor Napoleon In His Study At The Tuileries Jacques Louis David

French artist Jacques Louis David created this portrait of Emperor Napoleon depicted wearing the uniform of a colonel of the Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard. Small details can be seen like the flickering candles, the quill pen and papers on the desk, and the clock by the wall reading 4:13 AM

Portrait of Madame Récamier Jacques Louis David

Jeanne Francoise Julie Adelaide Recamier known as Juliette was a French socialite. Her salon drew people from the leading literary and political circles of early 19th-century Paris, France. She lived with her financier husband Jacques-Rose Recamier in the Chaussee-d’Antin area. They owned their own estate on Rue du Mont-Blanc. In the spring of 1800, the artist started painting her portrait in 1800.

The Laughing Cavalier Frans Hals

Dutch Golden Age artist Frans Hals was an impressive portrait painter. This artwork is among his well-known paintings. It depicts a young man 26 years of age dressed in a flamboyant style. In the portrait, you can see him in a lavish jacket embroidered with the symbols of the joys and pains of love.

Charles IV of Spain and His Family Francisco Goya

Charles IV was the King of Spain during the French Revolution. Spanish romantic artist Francisco Goya created an impressive portrait of the King and his family. The painter worked for the Royal Family as a court painter in Madrid, Spain in 1786. This artwork was done in 1801 as an oil on canvas depicting the members of the Royal Family decorated in jewelry and colorful garments.

George Washington Gilbert Stuart

American artist Gilbert Stuart known for his portraits created this portrait of the First American President George Washington in 1797. The artwork depicts Washington wearing a black velvet suit and a white shirt with ruffles. The painter created at least 100 portraits of George Washington during his career and most of them were copies of this painting. This artwork remains the most well-known image of the First American President.

Alof De Wignacourt Caravaggio

Fra Alof de Wignacourt was a French nobleman. He was the 54th Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. He is known for his construction of the Wignacourt Aqueduct. His portrait was painted my Italian artist Caravaggio at the time Wignacourt was at the height of his power. He might have been one of the first art subjects created by Caravaggio when he arrived in Malta. In the painting, Wignacourt is seen with his Page.