2006.55 Attributed to Julien Hudson, Portrait of a Creole Gentleman

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This small portrait of a fashionable Creole gentleman is attributed to Julien Hudson, one of the earliest documented free artists of color working in New Orleans. In the 19th century, a sizable prosperous community of free people of color flourished in the city, and many of them worked as artists and craftspeople or ran successful businesses. The portrait's small scale reflects Hudson's initial training as a miniaturist, while the stark background and precise handling combine the influence of his study in Paris between 1829 and 1831 and his relationship with European artists working in New Orleans in the 1830s, such as Jean-Joseph Vaudechamp and François Fleischbein.

Adapted from

William Keyse Rudolph, DMA label copy, 2008.

NOTES

Created c. 1835-1837

Rebecca Singerman worked on this note.

Catalogue essays

Artist/designers

Hudson, Julien (American, 1811-1844)

Cultures

Geography

Place of origin: New Orleans (Louisiana/United States): TGN: 7014214

Process/materials

Oil on canvas

Historical periods

Individuals

Subject terms

RELATED OBJECTS

PROVENANCE

From 2006: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Curtis E. Ransom

AUDIO ASSETS

VIDEO ASSETS

IMAGE ASSETS

WEB RESOURCES

Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA~View other works by Julien Hudson.
Louisiana State Museum~Learn more about the life and work of Julien Hudson.

ARCHIVAL RESOURCES

FUN FACTS

There are few known paintings by Julien Hudson, who died at just 33 from unknown causes.

TEACHING IDEAS

RULES

Apply to objects where number equals 2006.55

General Description

This small portrait of a fashionable Creole gentleman is attributed to Julien Hudson, one of the earliest documented free artists of color working in New Orleans. In the 19th century, a sizable prosperous community of free people of color flourished in the city, and many of them worked as artists and craftspeople or ran successful businesses. The portrait's small scale reflects Hudson's initial training as a miniaturist, while the stark background and precise handling combine the influence of his study in Paris between 1829 and 1831 and his relationship with European artists working in New Orleans in the 1830s, such as Jean-Joseph Vaudechamp and François Fleischbein.