émile Noirot (1853 – 1924), Portrait Of A Child, Circa 1900

Oil on canvas – Signed lower left – 46 x 38 cm. Circa 1900.

Trained first by his father and later by renowned masters such as Français, Daubigny, and Cabanel, Émile Noirot also attended the Académie Julian in Paris and studied in the studio of the sculptor Emmanuel Frémiet. While deeply attached to his native region and to depicting the banks of the Loire, Noirot traveled extensively, establishing himself as a true cosmopolitan artist.

Although it was his landscapes that brought him renown, this Portrait of a Child demonstrates his full mastery of intimate portraiture. With a supple and precise touch, he captures the freshness of youthful features, enlivened by a gentle smile and an attentive gaze. The rosy complexion set against a dark background enhances the sitter’s presence, while the wide, immaculate white collar lends an air of refined simplicity. Noirot’s sensitivity to light and to natural expression is evident in every detail. Finally, the medal worn by the child suggests a commemorative intent, giving the work a tender and familial dimension.

Exhibited in numerous salons in France and abroad (Paris, Brussels, London, Venice, Chicago…), Noirot received several awards and was made Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur in 1902.
His works are now housed in prestigious public collections, including the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lyon.