Graziella, friend of Lamartine

Graziella, Friend of Lamartine from 1836 at the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille depicts a character from the poet's autobiographical novel. Vernet's literary subjects reflect the close connections between painting and literature in Romantic France. Vernet's position as the official painter of the July Monarchy and later Second Empire gave him unparalleled access to military subjects, and his technique combined careful documentation with dramatic compositional flair.

The portrait is rendered with warm palette and refined handling. Vernet's treatment creates a romantic literary portrait.