Portrait of Samuel Courtauld
- Artist: Leroy Leveson Laurent Joseph de Maistre (Artists)
- Date: 1947
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the Portrait of Samuel Courtauld by Leroy Leveson Laurent Joseph de Maistre. The work was completed in 1947, a post‑war period when artists were experimenting with both tradition and new directions. De Maistre, known for his meticulous attention to detail, chose oil on canvas, allowing subtle gradations of color and texture that bring the sitter to life.
Samuel Courtauld is rendered with a calm, introspective expression, his gaze steady yet thoughtful. The background is a muted, almost monochrome drapery that keeps the focus entirely on the subject. Notice how the artist balances light and shadow—soft highlights on the cheekbones and a gentle rim light around the head suggest a quiet dignity. The brushwork is controlled; each stroke contributes to a sense of solidity, yet the overall effect remains gentle and human. The portrait offers a compelling glimpse into the character of a man who helped shape modern art institutions, captured with a painterly confidence that echoes the artistic spirit of the era.
See it in person
Portrait of Samuel Courtauld hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
