Portrait of a young bacchante was executed around 1790-1800 and despite the lack of a signature but due to the fully identical composition, quality, style and creation time it was attributed to the hand of French painter of Classicism Jacques-Antoine Vallin (1760 - Paris - 1835). For comparison with another works by Vallin see our additional images.

The artist was the son of a Parisian sculptor-chaser, installed on the Quai de la Mégisserie. At the age of fifteen, he entered the Royal Academy in 1779 under the protection of the history painter Gabriel Doyen, then of Callet in 1786. He returned to Drevet´s studio three years later. He was also a student of Antoine Renou there.

Vallin did not make his debut at the Salon until 1791, first exhibiting two canvases, La Tempête and Petit paysage2. The influence of Vernet but also that of Bidauld still marks a painting of 1793 as The Shepherdess of the Alps kept at the museum of Algiers [Which one?]. Very quickly, he then found his way and success with his paintings of nymphs and bacchantes placed in harmonious landscapes often bathed in a fine golden light. Vallin also draws his inspiration from ancient history or mythology. His ast appearance at the Salon dates back to 1827.

Vallin is an extension of Jacques-Philippe Caresme´s bacchanales and pastorales galantes, but in a more neo-classical or even historical style, in keeping with his time and close to a Prud´hon.

His painted work presents a freshness of colors and a real grace in the faces and attitudes of the characters.

He also painted portraits of Greuzian inspiration, and several paintings of ancient or modern history which he presented as a priority at the Salon.

Works by Vallin are in museums of La Tour, Paris: Petit Palace, Louvre, Orsay, and British Museum in London.

Literature: artist lexicons by Thieme/Becker, Benezit, Saur.

Inscription: unsigned.

Technique: oil on wood, original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 6 1/4” x h 7 7/8” (15,5 x 20 cm), framed w 10 7/8” x h 12 1/3” (27,5 x 31,5 cm).

Condition: good condition, original canvas.