Images(2)

Portrait of Félicie Aime (1829-1859)

Dateprobably 1839

Attributed to Jacques Guillaume Lucien Amans 1801 - 1888

OriginAmerica, Louisiana, St. James Parish

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsFramed H: 41 3/4" Framed W: 34 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2016-201,A&C

DescriptionPortrait of a young girl in a white dress with crossed arms against a landscape and blue sky.Label TextThis charming likeness of Félicie Aime was probably painted in conjunction with at least seven other family portraits by this artist. They portray Félicie’s parents and four siblings. All were likely rendered around 1839 at completion of the family home, a sixteen-room Greek Revival mansion with an extensive gardens nicknamed “Le Petit Versailles” because of its opulence.

The portrait resembles two others by French-born artist Jacques Amans. All feature young women in similar dress and pose against a landscape. Félicie was born to Francois Gabriel and Joséphine Roman Aime, both descended from prominent Louisiana families. Her father was credited as the leading sugar producer in the world and is often called the “father of white sugar.”