Charles Louis Müller Painting Portrait Man Of Letter Paris 1838 Hst

Charles-Louis Müller (1815–1892) – Portrait of a Man, signed & dated 1838A pupil of Gros and later of Léon Cogniet, Charles-Louis Müller was a renowned portraitist of the Romantic generation. Here, he captures with rare psychological accuracy the presence of a Parisian man of letters: three-quarter bust, sustained gaze, contained half-smile, thin moustache and starched collar. The light concentrates the modeling of the face while the restrained background creates an almost confidential intimacy, giving the impression of a whispered exchange between painter and model. The work is most likely a private commission under the July Monarchy and retains traces of earlier interventions on the reverse (label R. Leyle, Bordeaux; workshop annotations “Camille”, “Lassalle/Lasalle”). Old relining (early 20th century), localized retouching in the backgrounds and other minor ones on the face. Oil on relined canvas, 81.5 × 65.5 cm (later gilded frame, molding approx. 5.5 cm). Total 91 cm x 76 cm. Signed CL Müller and dated 1838 top right.