Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 131 works by Ernest Hébert in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Ernest Hébert's most famous painting is LA LAVANDARA OU JEUNE LAVANDIERE SONGEUSE, whose original hangs in the Musée National Ernest Hébert, Paris. ROMA SDEGNATA and Peasants at the fountain complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 131 works by Ernest Hébert in our catalog, the gallery presents the 100 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
In this oil on canvas, we find ourselves drawn into a private, silent interval of a young woman's day. She sits upon a stone bench, her form draped in a white blouse and a blue skirt, her presence anchored by the subtle weight of her contemplation. A red headscarf provides the only sharp note of color against the muted, natural tones of the surrounding greenery. Her gaze is cast downward,…
ROMA SDEGNATA is an oil painting executed by the French academic painter Ernest Hébert. The artist produced this work between about 1886 and 1896. This specific piece is currently held in a collection in Rome at the museo di Roma. Two related sketches of the composition are preserved at the Musée Hébert in Paris.
Peasants at the fountain is a genre painting by the French artist Ernest Hébert. The work is categorized as a genre painting, focusing on scenes of everyday life. This specific piece is centered on the theme of life in Italy. The composition captures a group of individuals gathered around a water source, a subject matter that aligns with the artist's interest in rural customs and social settings.
The Subject and Composition A young man occupies the center of this oil portrait, presented in a bust-length view. He is positioned slightly off-center, his torso turned partially away while his gaze meets the viewer directly. The subject possesses dark eyes, well-defined eyebrows, and full lips. His hair is rendered with fine, dark, textured strokes that suggest volume and curls. He wears dark clothing, primarily deep blacks, which merge into…
The Virgin of Deliverance is a religious oil on wood executed by Ernest Hébert in 1872. This specific work functions as a variant of a larger-scale altarpiece produced by the artist. The original composition was created for the Salon of 1872 and was subsequently installed in the church of La Tronche the following year.
A somber monochrome scene unfolds within a dark, cavernous setting, defined by deep blacks and sharp highlights. A central female figure stands in the foreground, her face and shoulder caught in a dramatic light that suggests an unseen source above. At her feet lies a recumbent figure, creating a composition of tension and mourning. The environment is composed of textured, organic shapes, suggesting the earthen walls of a cave or…
In the quietude of PETITE EVE AU PAVOT, the French artist Ernest Hébert presents us with a delicate encounter. We find ourselves facing a portrait of a young woman, her presence filling the space with a soft, contemplative energy. The title suggests she is Eve, a figure whose very name carries the weight of ancient stories, yet here she appears caught in a moment of pure, unblemished grace. There is…
The composition centers on a bust-length portrait of a young woman, positioned within an oval frame. Her gaze is directed toward the viewer, characterized by a steady and slightly melancholic expression. She is draped in a headscarf featuring intricate patterns of red, blue, and green. The fabric folds are rendered with soft, flowing lines that define the contours of her face and the weight of the textile. Her skin tones…
In the quiet, heavy atmosphere of the 19th century, Ernest Hébert captures a moment of profound human struggle in his work titled LA MALARIA. The scene unfolds upon a small boat, or barque, drifting through a landscape that feels thick with tension. A family of Italian peasants occupies the vessel, their lives suspended in the precarious space between the water and the shore. They are not merely traveling; they are…
is an oil on canvas painting by the French academic artist Ernest Hébert. Executed in 1846, the work belongs to the genre art classification. It represents a mid-19th-century approach to the Orientalist style, focusing on a specific scene of movement and music.
Music1850
12
Going to the Well1850 · Walters Art Museum
13
The hay harvesters of San Germano1857 · Musée d'Orsay
14
Adela1859
15
Pensive young Neapolitan1857
16
Self-Portrait With Red Tie1870 · Musée Hébert
17
La lavandière à Capri1874
18
The music (Agathe Calmel)1882 · Petit Palais
19
At the well1879 · Walters Art Museum
20
Ophelia1887 · Royal Collection
21
Marie-Thérèse de Ségur, countess of Guerne (1859-1933)1898 · Carnavalet Museum
22
Lily Schneider, Countess of Ganay1905 · Musée d'Orsay
23
Morning star1900
24
Souvenir d'Italie1908 · Musée Des Beaux Arts
25
Virgin And Child
26
VILLA MEDICIS, BASSIN A BALUSTRADEMusée National Ernest Hébert
27
The Mal'aria1848 · Musée d'Orsay
28
The Kiss of Judas1853 · Musée d'Orsay
29
Study for 'Les Filles d'Alvito'1855 · British Museum
30
Returning from the well1860 · Walters Art Museum
31
Young girls of IschiaMusée d'Orsay
32
PORTRAIT DE MADAME JANVIER D'ATTAINVILLEThe Louvre
33
Portrait of Catherine du Bouchage
34
Marie-clotilde Therese Louise
35
Addolorata
36
The Virgin In Paradise
37
Bibiana (Ne m'oubliez pas)
38
Sainte Geneviève
39
Le Christ
40
Tête du ChristMuseum Catharijneconvent
41
Portrait du Général de BeyliéMusée de Grenoble
42
PORTRAIT DE MARIA PUCCIMusée National Ernest Hébert
43
LA VIERGE AU PARADISMusée National Ernest Hébert
44
BibianaMusée National Ernest Hébert
45
Sainte MargueriteMusée National Ernest Hébert
46
ROME, LE BOTTEGHE OSCUREMusée National Ernest Hébert
47
PORTRAIT DE GABRIELLE D'UCKERMANN, MME ERNEST HEBERTMusée National Ernest Hébert
48
LES FILLES D'ALVITOMusée National Ernest Hébert
49
Tête de Jeanne d'Arc
50
PORTRAIT DE MME HOLLANDER NEE VICTORINE WERTHEIMMusée National Ernest Hébert
51
Le Tasse en prison visité par Expilly
52
TETE D'ITALIENNE DE PROFILMusée National Ernest Hébert
53
Tête de Vierge
54
JOUEUSE DE HARPEMusée National Ernest Hébert
55
SAINTE AGNESMusée National Ernest Hébert
56
PAYSANNE PENSIVEMusée National Ernest Hébert
57
TERRACINAMusée National Ernest Hébert
58
PORTRAIT DE ROSEMONDE GERARD, MME EDMOND ROSTANDMusée National Ernest Hébert
59
LES CERVAROLLES (ETATS ROMAINS)
60
MUSE EN DALMATIQUE JOUANT DE LA HARPEMusée National Ernest Hébert
61
OPHELIEMusée National Ernest Hébert
62
LE PETIT BRIGANDMusée National Ernest Hébert
63
LE MARCHAND D'IMAGESMusée National Ernest Hébert
64
Marcelle NéeMusée National Ernest Hébert
65
FEMME SONGEUSE DANS UN SOUS BOISMusée National Ernest Hébert
66
MADAME HEBERT, MERE DE L'ARTISTEMusée Hébert
67
Madame de Villegruy Baronne de VillegruyMusée National Ernest Hébert
68
ADELAIDE SONGEUSEMusée National Ernest Hébert
69
PAYSANNE ASSISE SONGEUSEMusée National Ernest Hébert
70
INTERIEUR DU COLISEEMusée National Ernest Hébert
71
ANTONIETTAMusée National Ernest Hébert
72
PORTRAIT D'AGNES DE POURTALES, MARQUISE DE LOYS CHANDIEUMusée National Ernest Hébert
73
PORTRAIT DE LA COMTESSE EUGENE PASTRE, NEE CELINE DE BEAULAINCOURTMusée National Ernest Hébert
74
CRESCENZA A LA FENETRE DE LA PRISONMusée National Ernest Hébert
75
PASTORELLAMusée National Ernest Hébert
76
PORTRAIT D'ISABELLE PUCCIMusée National Ernest Hébert
77
LA MARQUISE DE MODENE , NEE JEANNE MARIE CLEMENTINE THOMAS DE BOJANO (1862 1937)
78
PAYSAN DE SARACINESCOMusée National Ernest Hébert
79
Sainte AgnèsMusée National Magnin
80
Madame Maximilien Wey
81
SAINTE AMELIEMusée National Ernest Hébert
82
REVERIE AU CREPUSCULEMusée National Ernest Hébert
83
Pasqua MariaMusée National Ernest Hébert
84
JOUEUSE DE MANDOLINEMusée National Ernest Hébert
85
ROSA NERA A LA FONTAINEMusée National Ernest Hébert
86
JOSEPH CHARLES PAUL, PRINCE NAPOLEON (1822 1891)
87
MONA LUCCIAMusée Hébert
88
BARONNE ELEONORE D'UCKERMANN, BELLE SOUR DE L'ARTISTEMusée National Ernest Hébert
89
FAMILLE PAYSANNEMusée National Ernest Hébert
90
PORTRAIT DE CATHERINE DU BOUCHAGE, PLUS TARD MME DANIEL OLLIVIERMusée National Ernest Hébert
91
ANGE A L'EPEEMusée National Ernest Hébert
92
Comtesse de Pourtalès, née Mélanie Renouard de BussièresMusée National Ernest Hébert
93
JEUNE CHASSERESSEMusée National Ernest Hébert
94
PETIT SAVOYARD MONTREUR DE MARMOTTE APPELE ACTUELLEMENT PETIT SAVOYARD ET SON SINGEMusée National Ernest Hébert
95
Madame Hochon (née Louise Lefuel)
96
Female bathers
97
Et Toujours! Et Jamais!1863
98
PORTO D'ANZIOMusée National Ernest Hébert
99
Italian market scene
100
The Washerwoman
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Ernest Hébert | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Musée National Ernest Hébert |
Paris | 69 | LA LAVANDARA OU JEUNE LAVANDIERE SONGEUSE, ROMA SDEGNATA, Peasants at the fountain |
 Musée d'Orsay |
Paris | 11 | Self-portrait at 17 when he arrived in Paris, The Virgin of Deliverance, Oriental dance |
 Walters Art Museum |
Baltimore | 3 | Going to the Well, At the well, Returning from the well |
 Musée Hébert |
Paris | 3 | Self-Portrait With Red Tie, MADAME HEBERT, MERE DE L'ARTISTE, MONA LUCCIA |
 Art Institute of Chicago |
Chicago | 1 | On Guard |
 Condé Museum |
Chantilly | 1 | LA MALARIA |
 Petit Palais |
Paris | 1 | The music (Agathe Calmel) |
 Royal Collection |
London | 1 | Ophelia |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
The Subject and Composition A young man occupies the center of this oil portrait, presented in a bust-length view. He is positioned slightly off-center, his torso turned partially away while his gaze meets the viewer directly. The subject possesses dark eyes, well-defined eyebrows, and full lips. His hair is rendered with fine, dark, textured strokes that suggest volume and curls. He wears dark clothing, primarily deep blacks, which merge into…
is an oil on canvas painting by the French academic artist Ernest Hébert. Executed in 1846, the work belongs to the genre art classification. It represents a mid-19th-century approach to the Orientalist style, focusing on a specific scene of movement and music.
The title suggests an allegorical reading, linking the rhythmic patterns of nature to a sense of auditory harmony. The soft focus and idealized features of the woman evoke a dreamlike state, moving away from strict realism toward a more poetic interpretation of the landscape. This approach emphasizes a sense of quietude and the seamless integration of the individual into the wild, growing world.
A somber monochrome scene unfolds within a dark, cavernous setting, defined by deep blacks and sharp highlights. A central female figure stands in the foreground, her face and shoulder caught in a dramatic light that suggests an unseen source above. At her feet lies a recumbent figure, creating a composition of tension and mourning. The environment is composed of textured, organic shapes, suggesting the earthen walls of a cave or…
The Virgin of Deliverance is a religious oil on wood executed by Ernest Hébert in 1872. This specific work functions as a variant of a larger-scale altarpiece produced by the artist. The original composition was created for the Salon of 1872 and was subsequently installed in the church of La Tronche the following year.
LA LAVANDARA OU JEUNE LAVANDIERE SONGEUSE, Musée National Ernest Hébert, Paris. ROMA SDEGNATA and Peasants at the fountain come next.
LA LAVANDARA OU JEUNE LAVANDIERE SONGEUSE, ROMA SDEGNATA, Peasants at the fountain, Self-portrait at 17 when he arrived in Paris, The Virgin of Deliverance, On Guard, PETITE EVE AU PAVOT, LA SULAMITE, DIT AUSSI LA FILLE DU LIBAN OU LA FLEUR DU LIBAN, LA MALARIA and Oriental dance. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 131 works by Ernest Hébert, dated from 1833 to 1908.
Mostly in Musée National Ernest Hébert (Paris), Musée d'Orsay (Paris) and Walters Art Museum (Baltimore). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1850s: 7 of the 100 works on this page were made then, Music among them.
On this page, the earliest is Self-portrait at 17 when he arrived in Paris (1833) and the latest Souvenir d'Italie (1908).
Woman (17), Portrait (15) and 19th century (7), across the 100 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 14 of the 100 works on this page.
Romanticism, judging by the originals on this page.
LA LAVANDARA OU JEUNE LAVANDIERE SONGEUSE, ROMA SDEGNATA and Peasants at the fountain: the Musée National Ernest Hébert, Paris holds 50 of the works on this page.
Antoine Auguste Ernest Hébert (1817-1908), a name perhaps less familiar than many of his 19th-century contemporaries, nevertheless represents a significant figure in French academic painting. Born in Grenoble and nurtured by a family steeped in legal tradition, Hébert’s artistic journey began not through formal training alone, but with a self-directed passion ignited by the tutelage of sculptors and history painters. This unconventional start shaped his distinctive style – one characterized by meticulous detail, a profound understanding of light and shadow, and an undeniable romantic sensibility.
Hébert’s early life in Grenoble instilled a deep appreciation for the natural world, a theme that would become central to his artistic output. Moving to Paris at the age of eighteen, he immersed himself in the vibrant art scene, studying under both David d'Angers and Paul Delaroche – masters who exposed him to classical techniques and historical narrative. However, it was his time in Rome, awarded through the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1839, that truly crystallized his artistic vision. The scholarship afforded him a lengthy period of study at the Villa Medici, allowing him to absorb the grandeur of Italian landscapes and culture, experiences which would profoundly influence his later works.
Hébert’s most celebrated work, “La Mal'aria” (1848-49), now housed in the Musée d’Orsay, exemplifies this Italian influence. The painting depicts a poignant scene of a peasant family fleeing an outbreak of malaria along the canals of Venice – a subject that resonated deeply with the Romantic movement’s fascination with suffering and the sublime. Yet, Hébert doesn't simply portray a dramatic event; he meticulously renders every detail—the worn clothing, the weathered faces, the shimmering water—with astonishing realism. This commitment to academic precision, honed during his Roman studies, is evident throughout his oeuvre.
His Italian series, however, extended beyond mere picturesque landscapes. Hébert sought to capture the essence of Italian life – its people, its customs, and its atmosphere. He painted scenes of shepherds tending their flocks, fishermen casting their nets, and families gathering in sun-drenched piazzas. These works are not merely depictions of scenery; they’re imbued with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia, reflecting Hébert's own observations of the fading traditions of rural Italy.
Despite his time abroad, Hébert remained firmly rooted in Paris, becoming a prominent figure at the prestigious Salon exhibitions. His paintings consistently garnered critical acclaim, securing him numerous commissions and establishing him as one of the leading academic painters of his era. He was even appointed director of the French Academy in Rome twice, a testament to his standing within the artistic community.
Beyond landscapes, Hébert excelled at portraiture, capturing the likenesses of prominent figures from Parisian society. His portraits are notable for their elegance and psychological depth, revealing not only the outward appearance but also the inner character of his subjects. These works demonstrate a remarkable ability to convey personality through subtle gestures and expressions.
Ernest Hébert’s legacy extends beyond his individual paintings. He established the Musée Hébert in Paris, now known as the National Ernest Hébert Museum, which houses an extensive collection of his works alongside a remarkable ensemble of historic rooms that offer a glimpse into 19th-century Parisian life. The museum serves as a vital resource for scholars and art enthusiasts alike, ensuring that Hébert’s artistic contributions are preserved and celebrated.
His work continues to be studied and appreciated for its technical mastery, its evocative imagery, and its poignant portrayal of the human condition. Ernest Hébert remains a compelling example of an artist who successfully blended academic rigor with Romantic sensibility, leaving behind a rich and enduring body of art that reflects both the beauty and the melancholy of 19th-century France.
