Madame Pierre Seriziat (nee Emilie Pecoul) with her Son, Emile - Jacques-Louis David

A refined Neoclassical portrait by Jacques-Louis David, depicting Emilie Seriziat and her son in a moment of quiet, pastoral domesticity.

Painted in 1795, this portrait captures Emilie Seriziat, the sister-in-law of Jacques-Louis David, alongside her young son, Emile. The work belongs to a period of relative calm for the artist, following his release from prison after the fall of Robespierre. David stayed with the Seriziat family in the countryside, where he produced this portrait and a companion piece of Pierre Seriziat.

The composition reflects the shift in French portraiture during the late eighteenth century. Emilie is depicted in a simple, high-waisted white muslin gown, a style popularised by the Directoire period. Her attire, paired with a straw hat adorned with green ribbons, suggests a relaxed, pastoral elegance. She holds a small bouquet of wildflowers, which adds a naturalistic touch to the formal arrangement. Her son, Emile, is partially visible at the edge of the frame, leaning against her, which introduces a sense of domestic intimacy.

David employs a restrained palette, focusing on the contrast between the stark white of the dress and the dark, muted background. This choice directs attention to the sitter's features and the delicate textures of her clothing. The lighting is soft and even, characteristic of David's technical precision. Unlike his earlier, more rigid historical compositions, this portrait displays a lighter, more personal approach to his subjects. The painting remains a fine example of the artist's ability to balance formal structure with the warmth of family life, capturing a specific moment of respite in a turbulent era of French history. The work is currently held in the collection of the Musée du Louvre in Paris.