Portrait of a Second Maître in the French Navy
Jean Baptiste Mutin (French, 1789–1855)
Pastel on paper laid to canvas
11 1/2 × 9 1/2 in. (29.3 × 24.2 cm)
Signed, framed (restoration pending)
Overview: A Unique Portrait of a Second Maître in the French Navy
This 19th-century pastel portrait by Jean Baptiste Mutin captures a second maître—a mid-ranking sailor in the French Navy—who is notably a man of color. The Portrait of a Second Maître in the French Navy stands out not only for its technical elegance but also for its cultural and historical resonance.
Historical Context and Naval Significance
The title second maître signified a position of leadership akin to a petty officer. Sailors in this rank held experience, authority, and trust among the crew. In this artwork, Mutin portrays a second maître with gravity and dignity, emphasizing the sitter’s poised expression and detailed naval uniform.
Importantly, this portrait depicts a biracial sailor—offering rare visual evidence of Black and mixed-race service members within 19th-century European maritime history. Many such individuals joined the French Navy from coastal communities or colonial territories like the Caribbean. Naval life sometimes offered social mobility not easily found on land.
Exhibition History: Celebrating the French Navy
The Portrait of a Second Maître in the French Navy was exhibited at the Musée de la Marine in Paris in 1953 as part of Le prince de Joinville et la marine de son temps. This exhibition honored Prince François d’Orléans, a prominent admiral and son of King Louis-Philippe. The Prince led naval campaigns in Brazil and the Americas, and this sitter may have served during that transformative period.
Artistic Technique and Significance
Jean Baptiste Mutin, trained in Dijon, was known for his pastel portraits. In this work, he uses delicate shading to enhance the sitter’s skin tone, eyes, and textured uniform. Mutin’s skill lies in balancing intimacy with formality—allowing the portrait to resonate with human warmth while maintaining official dignity.
Provenance
- Sotheby’s, New York, October 14, 2020, Lot 162
- Freeman’s | Hindman, Chicago, April 29, 2025, Lot 3
- Exhibited: Le prince de Joinville et la marine de son temps, Musée de la Marine, Paris, 1953–54, no. E.48
- Acquired by Chicagoland Masterpiece Revival LLC