Théobald Chartran (French, 1849–1907). <em>Portrait of Washington A. Roebling</em>, 1899. Oil on canvas, unglazed, framed weight is 166 lbs.: 79 1/8 x 53 1/8 in., 166 lb. (201 x 134.9 cm, 75.3kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Paul Roebling, 1994.69.2 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.69.2_SL1.jpg)

Théobald Chartran (French, 1849–1907). Portrait of Washington A. Roebling, 1899. Oil on canvas, unglazed, framed weight is 166 lbs.: 79 1/8 x 53 1/8 in., 166 lb. (201 x 134.9 cm, 75.3kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Paul Roebling, 1994.69.2 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.69.2_SL1.jpg)

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Are the people in this gallery, including the man in this painting, people with power?

I guess that depends on your definition of power, but they could all be described as people of means--wealth and prominence. The man you photographed is Washington A. Roebling who was instrumental in the design and early construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. He was an engineer and a business man in the 19th century.

His wife is pictured in the portrait to the right, when Washington A. fell ill, Emily Warren Roebling saw the project to completion.

Oh yeah, I've heard of him.

So how would you define the connection between the portraits in that gallery, if there is any connection?

This wall of the Beaux-Arts Court is curated to tell the story of portrait painting as a genre within the European painting tradition.

Most of the individuals represented are wealthy members of society, the kind of people who could afford to commission a portrait. It's interesting to compare the different ways in which the artists have approached portrait painting across time and place.

If one puts a glass onto a painting, can't mold develop between the two surfaces? Is there a maintainable procedure to keep the paintings in good condition?

I believe our conservators frame the paintings in such a way so as to create a seal so that moisture and humidity do not develop, leading to mold. The glass creates a micro-climate.

If you look in some of our objects in glass cases, you'll notice a strip of paper with various colors that the conservators use to monitor the conditions for these cased objects.

Tell me about this portrait, please.

Did you notice the Brooklyn Bridge in the background? Washington A. Roebling designed and oversaw the beginning of its construction as further suggested by the plans on his desk. His wife, Emily Warren Roebling, whose portrait is to the right, saw the bridge to completion when he became ill. In the late 19th century Paris was still the center of the art world and having your portrait painted by a French portraitist, like Théobald Chartran, was a true sign of status.

Is this guy rich?

Yes he was! This is Washington A. Roebling, his wife, Emily Warren Roebling is in the painting next to him. The Roeblings had a very successful company producing building materials like metal cables and were responsible for the construction of Brooklyn Bridge.

Was Mr. Roebling's portraits made in France or NY?

I believe it was painted in New York. Chartran made a name for himself in France and then began making annual trips to the US starting in 1893. During these trips he painted may prominent New Yorkers including Roebling, Henry Clay Frick, and Andrew Carnegie.

Thanks!

Portrait of Washington A. Roebling

Théobald Chartran

European Art

A Brooklyn Power Couple
Washington and Emily Roebling, like many eminent Americans, had their likenesses painted by leading French portraitists. Washington, who served as the chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, is depicted seated before a window overlooking the landmark. When he fell ill during construction, Emily assumed all on-site responsibilities and was the first to cross the bridge, in 1883.

Emily Roebling was honored at the bridge’s opening ceremony, and her celebrity later extended beyond Brooklyn. She wore the elaborate dress she wears here at her presentation at court in St. James’s Palace in London and at the crowning of the czar and czarina in Moscow.

ARTIST Théobald Chartran, French, 1849–1907

MEDIUM Oil on canvas

Place Made: Europe

DATES 1899

DIMENSIONS unglazed, framed weight is 166 lbs.: 79 1/8 x 53 1/8 in., 166 lb. (201 x 134.9 cm, 75.3kg) frame: 90 3/4 × 64 1/4 × 6 in. (230.5 × 163.2 × 15.2 cm) glazed weight: 224 lb. (101.61kg) (show scale)

INSCRIPTIONS Inscribed upper right: "[?]99"

COLLECTIONS European Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 1994.69.2

CREDIT LINE Gift of Paul Roebling

EXHIBITIONS

European Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Théobald Chartran (French, 1849–1907). Portrait of Washington A. Roebling, 1899. Oil on canvas, unglazed, framed weight is 166 lbs.: 79 1/8 x 53 1/8 in., 166 lb. (201 x 134.9 cm, 75.3kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Paul Roebling, 1994.69.2 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.69.2_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 1994.69.2_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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