Adèle Romany, 1769 – 1846

The 37 Most Famous Paintings by Adèle Romany

The painting that made Adèle Romany famous is Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou (1795); it hangs in the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.. Madame Coury, Duhamel Widow (1811) and Portrait of a Young Woman (1804) follow it in the hearts of collectors and museum visitors. Of the 39 works by Adèle Romany in our catalogue, these 37 are the most admired, each presented with its date, its museum and what sets it apart.

Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated October 2026. Every masterpiece on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, at the size you choose.

Portrait of Adèle Romany
Adèle Romany · 1769 – 1846
Born · died
1769 – 1846, Paris
Movement
Neoclassicism
Works in our catalogue
39
Most famous
Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou (1795)
Most works at
Library-museum of the Comédie-Française

Adèle Romany: the ten masterpieces

Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou (1795) by Adèle Romany
1

Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou

1795 · Oil · National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.

The gaze of the sitter meets us in Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou, a work that captures a quiet, creative pause. Painted by Adèle Romany around 1795, the portrait presents a woman poised amidst the tools of her intellect and expression. She exists in a moment of stillness, her presence defined by the delicate textures of her attire and the objects that surround her.

Hand-painted oil reproduction from $181 27 × 36 cm Same size as the original $525 97 × 128 cm Order at original size →
Madame Coury, Duhamel Widow (1811) by Adèle Romany
2

Madame Coury, Duhamel Widow

1811 · Oil On Canvas · Nationalmuseum, Stockholm

In this portrait from 1811, we find ourselves in the private, composed space of Madame Coury, the widow Duhamel. She is seated with a quiet dignity, her presence defined by a sense of refined status and the stillness of a life lived with intention. The composition is a three-quarter length arrangement, positioning her slightly off-center to create a balanced, natural poise. A deep forest green gown anchors the figure, its…

Hand-painted oil reproduction from $181 28 × 36 cm Same size as the original $470 90 × 117 cm Order at original size →
Portrait of a Young Woman (1804) by Adèle Romany
3

Portrait of a Young Woman

1804 · Oil On Canvas · Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris

The artwork titled Portrait of a Young Woman is a portrait painted by Adèle Romany. Created in 1804, this oil on canvas work belongs to the genre of portraiture. The subject of the painting is a single young woman, depicted in a full-length vertical composition.

Hand-painted oil reproduction from $181 29 × 35 cm Same size as the original $245 51 × 61 cm Order at original size →

More Adèle Romany masterpieces, 11 to 37

The subjects Adèle Romany painted most

The four subjects that return most often among these masterpieces, with the finest example of each.

Where to see Adèle Romany's paintings

The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Adèle Romany Paintings from this list
Library-museum of the Comédie-Française Paris 5 Portrait of Emilie Leverd, Mlle Raucourt as Agrippine, Portrait of Fleury
Château de Versailles, VersaillesChâteau de Versailles Versailles 2 Charles-Antoine d'Artenay, The Marquis de Romance Mesmon's snack
Museum of Fine Arts, BostonMuseum of Fine Arts Boston 2 Portrait of a Lady at a Pianoforte, Joseph-Dominique Fabry Garat Playing a Lyre Guitar
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.National Museum of Women in the Arts Washington, D.C. 1 Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou
Nationalmuseum, StockholmNationalmuseum Stockholm 1 Madame Coury, Duhamel Widow
Musée Marmottan Monet, ParisMusée Marmottan Monet Paris 1 Portrait of a Young Woman
Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, LillePalais des Beaux-Arts de Lille Lille 1 Portrait of a Young Harpist
Musée Jacquemart-André, ParisMusée Jacquemart-André Paris 1 Portrait of a woman

Adèle Romany, decade by decade: the defining painting of each

  1. 1790s
  2. 1800s
    Portrait of a Young Woman (1804) by Adèle Romany
    #3 of 37

    Portrait of a Young Woman

    Age 31 – 40 · Musée Marmottan Monet

    The artwork titled Portrait of a Young Woman is a portrait painted by Adèle Romany. Created in 1804, this oil on canvas work belongs to the genre of…

  3. 1810s
    Madame Coury, Duhamel Widow (1811) by Adèle Romany
    #2 of 37

    Madame Coury, Duhamel Widow

    Age 41 – 50 · Nationalmuseum

    In this portrait from 1811, we find ourselves in the private, composed space of Madame Coury, the widow Duhamel. She is seated with a quiet dignity, her presence…

  4. 1830s

Adèle Romany's masterpieces: questions and answers

Which painting is Adèle Romany best known for?Show the answer

Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou (1795), National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.. Next come Madame Coury, Duhamel Widow (1811) and Portrait of a Young Woman (1804).

How old was Adèle Romany when painting Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou?Show the answer

26 years old: Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou dates from 1795 and Adèle Romany was born in 1769.

What are Adèle Romany's ten greatest paintings?Show the answer

Portrait of an Artist, Traditionally Identified as Mademoiselle Halbou, Madame Coury, Duhamel Widow, Portrait of a Young Woman, Portrait of Julie Candeille, Portrait of a Young Harpist, Portrait of a woman, Portrait of Amélie-Justine Pontois, Charles-Antoine d'Artenay, Portrait of Amélie-Justine and Charles-Édouard Pontois and A young person hesitating to play the piano in front of her family. The ranking above gives the year and the museum of each.

How many works did Adèle Romany paint?Show the answer

Our catalogue lists 39 works by Adèle Romany, dated from 1791 to 1836.

In which museums can I see Adèle Romany's masterpieces?Show the answer

Most of them are in Library-museum of the Comédie-Française (Paris), Château de Versailles (Versailles) and Museum of Fine Arts (Boston). The table above lists the museums one by one.

When did Adèle Romany paint the masterpieces?Show the answer

In 1800s: 13 of the 37 works on this page date from then, among them Portrait of a Young Woman.

What are the first and last famous paintings of Adèle Romany?Show the answer

The earliest on this page is Portrait of Julie Candeille (1791), the latest Portrait of Voltaire (1836).

Which technique did Adèle Romany favour?Show the answer

Oil On Canvas: 2 of the 37 works on this page.

What art movement is Adèle Romany part of?Show the answer

Neoclassicism, as the paintings on this page show.

Which masterpieces by Adèle Romany hang at the Library-museum of the Comédie-Française?Show the answer

Portrait of Emilie Leverd, Mlle Raucourt as Agrippine and Portrait of Fleury are among the 5 works on this page held by the Library-museum of the Comédie-Française, Paris.

Can I own a reproduction of a Adèle Romany masterpiece?Show the answer

Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in the size you choose, from the painting's own page.

The life of Adèle Romany

Adèle de Romance (Adèle Romanée): A Life in Miniature and Portraiture

Adèle de Romance, also known as Adèle Romany or Adèle Romanée (December 7, 1769 – June 6, 1846), was a highly regarded French painter specializing in miniatures and portraits. Her career spanned several decades of significant social and political change in France, and she successfully navigated the art world while adapting her name and artistic presentation to reflect evolving circumstances.

Early Life and Artistic Training

  • Birth and Legitimation: Born Jeanne Marie Mercier in Paris, Adèle was initially recognized as an illegitimate child. In 1778, at age eight, she was legitimized by her father, Godefroy V, Marquis de Romance, brother of the writer Germain-Hyacinthe de Romance, from this point adopting the name Adèle de Romance.
  • Formal Education: She received formal artistic training under Jean-Baptiste Regnault, a prominent French history painter and academician. This foundational education provided her with a strong understanding of drawing, composition, and color theory – essential skills for both miniature painting and portraiture.
  • Marriage to François Antoine Romany: In 1790, Adèle married fellow miniature painter François Antoine Romany. While their marriage eventually ended in divorce, it significantly influenced her early career as she often exhibited under his surname, "Romany."

Artistic Style and Notable Works

  • Specialization: Adèle de Romance’s artistic focus centered on miniatures and portraits, particularly those depicting individuals involved in the performing arts. This niche allowed her to cultivate a clientele within Parisian theatrical and musical circles.
  • Exhibitions at the Paris Salon: From 1793 to 1808, she exhibited her works under the name "Romany," and subsequently from 1808 to 1833 as “Romanée.” She presented a substantial body of work over forty years, demonstrating consistent artistic output.
  • Notable Works:
    • Portrait of Auguste Vestris: This piece, housed at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art, exemplifies her skill in capturing likeness and character.
    • Self-portrait with her children (1800): A poignant depiction showcasing both artistic talent and familial life.
    • Portraits of Mlle Raucourt and Mlle Emilie Leverd: These portraits, exhibited at various Salons, further solidified her reputation for capturing the essence of theatrical personalities.
  • Artistic Characteristics: Her miniatures are known for their delicate detail, refined color palettes, and ability to convey a sense of personality within a small format. Her larger portraits demonstrate a similar attention to detail and an understanding of light and shadow.

Recognition and Historical Significance

  • Gold Medal of the Jury (1808): This prestigious award recognized her artistic merit and contributed to her standing within the French art establishment.
  • Influence on Other Artists: While not a revolutionary figure, Adèle de Romance’s consistent production of high-quality miniatures and portraits helped maintain the popularity of these genres during a period when larger historical paintings were gaining prominence.
  • Representation of Performing Arts: Her focus on portraying actors, actresses, and musicians provides valuable visual documentation of Parisian theatrical life in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Comédie-Française holds a significant collection of her works due to this specialization.
  • Financial Acumen: Beyond her artistic pursuits, Adèle demonstrated business savvy through financial speculations during periods of political upheaval, showcasing an entrepreneurial spirit uncommon for women artists of the time.

Legacy and Rediscovery

Adèle de Romance’s work received limited critical attention after her death in 1846. However, recent scholarship and a retrospective exhibition at the Jean-Honoré-Fragonard Museum in Grasse (scheduled for 2025) are contributing to a renewed appreciation of her artistic contributions. Her legacy lies not only in her skillful execution but also in her ability to capture the spirit of a vibrant cultural scene and navigate a complex historical landscape as a successful female artist.