Aglaée Louise Auguié Ney, Duchess of Elchingen, Princess of Moscow (1782-1854)

This 1812 portrait of Aglaé Augié Ney at the Albany Institute records the wife of Marshal Michel Ney, the “Bravest of the Brave.” As Duchess of Elchingen and Princess of Moscow, her portrait documents the new Napoleonic aristocracy created from military glory and strategic marriages. Gérard's polished oil technique combined David's classical drawing with a softer, more elegant approach to figure modelling and a more refined color harmony, producing portraits of cool aristocratic distinction.

Gérard presents the marshal’s wife with the regal bearing of her elevated status. Rich costume rendering and luminous flesh tones create an image of aristocratic refinement.