Alfred Dedreux (1810–1860) as a Child

Théodore Gericault

ca. 1819–20 · Oil on canvas · European Paintings

The subject of this portrait is the nephew of Gericault’s friend the painter Pierre-Joseph Dedreux-Dorcy. This canvas is one of a small group of drawings and paintings (in various collections) that depict the eight- or nine-year-old Alfred and his younger sister, Elisabeth, with remarkable self-possession and grace for their age. Alfred became a painter and, like Gericault, was enamored of horses. Eugène Delacroix, who had studied with Gericault, later owned this painting.

Artist

Théodore Gericault

Date

ca. 1819–20

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

The Alfred N. Punnett Endowment Fund, 1941