Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Jean-Baptiste Debret died in 1848; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1918.
In context
The Slave Hunter — Jean-Baptiste Debret
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 80 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Jean-Baptiste Debret (1768–1848) every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1816 Main working years: 1816–1839 Late works: from 1839
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/jean-baptiste-debret-the-slave-hunter-9CWH2W-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Gray #837f59
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 67.3% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 109 works by this artist, of which 43 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 11 of them, with 2.9% of that attention. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Paris, France
Born: Paris, France (April 18, 1768)
Died: Paris, France (1848)
Jean-Baptiste Debret was a French painter and draughtsman celebrated for his Neoclassical style. Born in Paris, France, in 1768, he received his formal artistic training at the prestigious French Academy of Fine Arts. A pivotal influence on his development was Jacques-Louis David, a renowned neoclassical artist who also happened to be a relative of Debret’s. Under David's guidance, Debret honed his skills and absorbed the principles of Neoclassicism—a style emphasizing classical austerity, idealized forms, and heightened emotional expression.
Debret made his debut at the Salon des Beaux-Arts in 1798, earning a second prize. His early works reflected the Neoclassical aesthetic, often depicting historical scenes that resonated with the moral climate of the time. A significant turning point in Debret’s career arrived in March 1816 when he joined the French artistic mission to Brazil. This journey proved transformative, both personally and professionally.
French Artistic Mission: Debret's participation in this mission underscored France's commitment to cultural exchange and arts education abroad.
Imperial Academy of Fine Arts: In December 1822, he established his atelier at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro, quickly becoming a valued teacher.
First Brazilian Art Exhibition: Debret spearheaded the organization of Brazil's first-ever arts exhibition, showcasing both his own works and those of his students—a landmark event for the burgeoning Brazilian art scene.
Debret’s paintings are characterized by their meticulous attention to detail and adherence to Neoclassical principles. His subject matter frequently encompassed historical events, portraits, and scenes depicting Brazilian life and culture. His work provides valuable insights into 19th-century Brazil.
Neoclassical Influence: Debret’s style is deeply rooted in the Neoclassical tradition, evident in his emphasis on clarity, order, and idealized forms.
Historical Scenes: Many of his paintings depict significant historical moments, reflecting a desire to educate and inspire through art.
Brazilian Subject Matter: His time in Brazil led him to focus increasingly on depicting Brazilian landscapes, indigenous peoples, and colonial life.
Notable works by Jean-Baptiste Debret can be found on the AllPaintingsStore website, including:
Sacred Ceremony of D. Pedro 1 ° Emperor of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro 1 ° December 1822 – A detailed lithograph capturing a pivotal moment in Brazilian history.
Napoléon harangue les troupes bavaroises et wurtembourgeoises à Abensberg, 20 avril 1809 – A powerful depiction of Napoleon addressing troops.
Indians Crossing A Creek – An example of his detailed depictions of indigenous life.
Indigenous Population Of Cantagalo, C.1826 – A watercolor showcasing Brazilian culture and landscapes.
Debret returned to France in 1831 and was elected a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. He is perhaps best known for his monumental three-volume series of engravings, Voyage pittoresque et historique au Brésil, published in 1834. This work served as a visual record of Brazilian life during his time there and contributed significantly to European understanding of Brazil. Despite achieving recognition, Debret died poor in Paris in 1848.
Voyage Pittoresque: His publication remains an invaluable resource for historians and art enthusiasts alike.
Impact on Brazilian Art Education: Debret’s contributions to arts education in Brazil left a lasting legacy, helping to establish a foundation for the development of Brazilian artistic talent.
For further information on Jean-Baptiste Debret and his work, please visit the AllPaintingsStore website or consult Wikipedia's page on the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes.
originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/jean-baptiste-debret-the-slave-hunter-9CWH2W-en/
Look closely
The Slave Hunter — Jean-Baptiste Debret
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"The Slave Hunter" is attributed to Jean-Baptiste Debret.
Jean-Baptiste Debret appears under the alternate names Jean Baptiste Debret, Debret.
Regarding copyright, "The Slave Hunter" is in the public domain - its copyright has expired.