François-joseph Kinson And The Portrait Of Lievin Bauwens

The painting presented here is a "workshop" version by François-Joseph Kinson (1771-1839). A renowned Belgian painter, specializing in portraits of the aristocracy and military figures of the First Empire. This portrait, representing Lievin Bauwens, lieutenant-colonel of the Guard of Honor and mayor of the city of Ghent. It embodies both Kinson's artistic mastery and the military elegance of the Napoleonic era. Oil on canvas 114cm x 92 cmFrançois-Joseph Kinson: painter of the imperial elite: Born in Bruges in 1771, François-Joseph Kinson quickly distinguished himself as a portrait painter after training at the Academy of Bruges. Then he moved to Paris. His talent earned him the appointment of official painter to Empress Josephine. This opened the doors to the most prestigious circles of the First Empire. His works, characterized by an attention to detail and a finesse in the rendering of fabrics and expressions, bear witness to his status as a sought-after portraitist. A prestigious portrait: Lievin Bauwens, Officer and notable An Officer of the Empire: Lievin Bauwens (1769-1822) is an emblematic figure of the Napoleonic era. An industrialist from Ghent, he was also a fervent supporter of the Empire. This earned him the appointment of lieutenant-colonel of the Guard of Honor and mayor of Ghent during the reign of Napoleon. His richly decorated uniform, with its black dolman embroidered with silver and red breeches trimmed with gold braid, symbolizes his status as an elite soldier. A painting full of symbolism: Kinson depicts Bauwens in a pose that is both relaxed and imposing. The left arm rests on the pommel of his saber, while the right hand rests on a piece of furniture next to a shadow-cast bust, likely that of Napoleon. This detail underlines the character's attachment to the Emperor. The treatment of light and the richness of the textures recall Kinson's refined style. The rendering of the gilded ornaments, epaulettes, and military decorations illustrate his attention to detail and mastery of contrasts. A work testifying to Napoleonic prestige: This portrait, 114 cm high by 92 cm wide, is fully in keeping with the aesthetics of the First Empire, where military portraiture served as much to exalt the values of bravery as to immortalize the great figures of the period. It now constitutes a precious testimony to the military and political history of Belgium under the Empire. The original painting by Kinson is now untraceable, according to the family's descendants. He had three children, the eldest inherited the original and the other two had the studio paintings.