Portrait of Captain General of the Galleys Paul de Suffren

Classification(s)

Art / Paintings

Object TypePortrait

Registration NumberMMM 004126

DescriptionThis late eighteenth century, oil-on-canvas painting portrays the Knight Paul-Julien de Suffren (1730-1809) in a gilded frame. The middle-aged man depicted in a three-quarter profile view maintains a direct gaze at the beholder. His figure is set against a dark background except for the left side of the painting, where, in a narrow, arched, window-like opening we can see the calm sea with no land in sight, and a two-masted ship with its sails unopened and the flags of the Order of Malta. The sea is calm but the sky has dark clouds gathering.

Captain de Suffren is wearing an elaborate breastplate with the eight-pointed Cross of the Order of Malta and a fine shirt underneath. His posture, clothing and facial expression radiate dignity and contentment. His left hand shown in the foreground adds to the impression of a well-groomed man. The painter’s palette with its greens, blues, dark red and pale gold adds to the mellowness of the work.

Similarly to his brother, Fra Pierre-André de Suffren, both from Saint-Tropez, Fra Paul-Julien de Suffren joined the Order of Malta in 1748. Of the two, he stayed longer on the island, and became the Captain of the Order’s Galley. His numerous victories included the attack on the town of Bizerta (in present-day Tunisia). He was in Malta when the French forces were expelled. He never joined Napoleon’s Fleet. Later, other family members also joined the Order.Technique

Oil on canvas; Water- gilded decorative frame

Dimensions113.5 x 90.8cm (framed)

Alternate ID Numbers