Robert Lefèvre

Robert Jacques François Faust Lefèvre (* September 24 1755 in Bayeux, † October 3, 1830 in Paris) was a French portrait and historical painter, influenced mainly by Jacques Louis David and the classicism.

Life and work

With the consent of his parents, he broke his apprenticeship at a procurator and went to Paris to Jean -Baptiste Regnault. His focus was on allegorical and mythological subjects, but above all he was interested in portraiture. In the Salon de Paris in 1791, he presented his Dame en velours noir. This was the starting point for his reputation. In 1805, he portrayed the Empress Joséphine. Napoleon bee, which he put in place the lily, decorate their train. For this work Napoléon was in 1807 by Louis- André -Gabriel Bouchet make its counterpart. Both paintings gave Bonaparte on December 6, 1807, the city of Aachen, which today again adorn the Council Chamber of City Hall Aachen.

Lefèvre presented to 1827 works at the Paris Salon. Dominique Vivant Denon patronized the artist. With the portraits of Napoleon and Josephine, of Madame Laetitia, Guerin, Antoine Charles Horace Vernet, among other things, his reputation grew as a modern portrait artist. Because of his portrait of Louis XVIII. he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor and was appointed court painter.

There were other numerous portraits and history paintings.

Works (selection)

• Portrait of the actress Sophie de Gevaudan, born Thévenin Devienne (?), Sign. 1796, oil on canvas, 96 x 74 cm ( 37,8 x 29,1 in ). 2004 Sotheby's Paris.
• Portrait of Madame Paullet, sign., Oil on canvas, 99 x 79 cm ( 39 x 31,1 in ). 2008 auction.
• Portrait of Dominique Nicolas Paullet, oil on canvas, 99 x 79 cm ( 39 x 31,1 in ). 2008 auction.
• Portrait of Elisaveta Alexandrovna Stroganova, ( Elisabeth Stroganoff Demidoff; 1779-1818 ) Hermitage in Saint Petersburg