Mlle. Alexandrine-Julie de la Boutraye

Mlle. Alexandrine-Julie de la Boutraye is a distinguished portrait by the leading French Romantic painter, Eugène Delacroix. Executed in oil on fabric between 1827 and 1839, the extended timeline for the work's completion suggests either multiple sittings or a significant revision process by the artist over the early years of the Romantic era. Delacroix, though celebrated for monumental history paintings, dedicated considerable attention to portraiture, often capturing intimate studies of individuals within his social circle in France. This particular piece captures the sitter, Mlle. de la Boutraye, in a posture combining intimate access with the structured formality typical of elite French painting during this complex transition in artistic styles.

In this painting, Delacroix utilizes rich, deep color and his signature, dynamic brushwork to convey a sense of psychological weight and emotional resonance characteristic of the Romantic movement. The technical handling of light and shadow highlights the sitter's detailed attire and pensive expression, demonstrating the artist's ability to balance the precision required of formal portraiture with his inherent expressive intensity. This work stands as evidence of Delacroix’s versatility, moving seamlessly between grand public narratives and focused individual studies. The canvas, Mlle. Alexandrine-Julie de la Boutraye, is currently held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, serving as a primary document of nineteenth-century portraiture. High-quality prints of Delacroix's masterworks are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to this important cultural heritage.