L' Empereur, Carroll Beckwith (1912)

L' Empereur, Carroll Beckwith (1912)

Carroll Beckwith’s L’Empereur presents a striking costumed figure whose regal bearing and elaborate attire blur the line between historical portrait and theatrical performance. The subject, dressed in richly detailed fabrics and posed with confident poise, seems to embody the persona of an emperor—yet the performative nature of his stance and setting hints at the artifice behind the display. This layered portrayal invites reflection on how identity is crafted and performed.

Painted during a time when character studies and historical themes were in vogue, the work showcases Beckwith’s academic training and sensitivity to atmosphere. A student of Jean-Léon Gérôme, Beckwith was known for portraits that fused realism with psychological nuance. In L’Empereur, he masterfully captures not only the textures of fabric and flesh, but also the subtle tension between appearance and authenticity.

Cotton and polyester canvas on Radiata pine wood frame sourced from renewable forests. Includes back mounting.