The Dutch patriot, Jacobus Blauw (1756–1829), played an important role in the foundation of the Batavian Republic in 1795. Although short-lived, it significantly contributed to the transformation of the Netherlands from a confederated structure into a democratic unitary state.
Blauw and the artist, Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825), shared the political ideals of the French Revolution that were sweeping across Europe in the 1790s, and the bond between the two men is evident in the relaxed intimacy of this portrait. David depicts the diplomat Blauw as he pauses while writing, his clothes and possessions painted in meticulous detail.
There are only two paintings by David in Britain – this, and the National Gallery’s Portrait of Comtesse Vilain XIIII and her Daughter.
Provenance: With the sitter until his death in 1829; bequeathed to his only daughter, Cornelia‐Marguerite‐Jeanne de Blancheville (née Blauw) (1787–1847), and thereafter by descent in the family to Cornélie‐Pulcherie‐Augustine Clavière (1833–1891), Blauw’s last direct descendant, wife of the painter and collector Jean‐Jules Chevrier (1816–1883), whose daughter, Cornélie‐Joséphine‐Louise Chevrier (1855–1930), married Honoré Luce (1847–1932); recorded in 1913 with M. Luce‐Chevrier; ‘given’ by Henriette Luce‐Chevrier (Mme Georges Gruère) in 1968 to the Musée des Beaux‐Arts de Dijon, the ‘gift’ being rescinded following her title being challenged by members of the Chevrier family; sold in 1970 to the Wildenstein Gallery (the sale being unsuccessfully challenged by other members of the family); with Wildenstein & Cie, Paris, in 1978, when first offered to the Gallery for $1,200,000; acquired in 1984 (following a protracted negotiation for a French export licence) for $3,200,000, paid at the direction of Guy Wildenstein to Dr Adrian Hinderling, Zurich.
Text from The National Gallery
Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: The National Gallery, London
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825)
Date: 1795
Image Details
Date: 10 April 2025
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/24s
ISO: 400
Licensing: Image of a National Gallery asset. This image cannot be licensed.