This commanding oil on panel by French academic painter Ferdinand Roybet (1840-1920), dated 1875, presents a richly detailed, full-length portrait of a 17th Century musketeer. The figure stands confidently, his left hand resting on a flintlock musket while his gaze engages the viewer directly. He wears a broad-brimmed hat, a white edged ruff, and a fitted leather jerkin over a shimmering green silk shirt - his attire evoking the martial elegance of the early Baroque era. His black breeches are tucked into tall, soft leather riding boots equipped with spurs. Roybet’s masterful technique is evident in the confident brushwork, finely observed costume textures and dramatic chiaroscuro lighting. His interest in historical themes and richly costumed portraiture aligns him with artists such as Ernest Meissonnier, though Roybet brought a particularly romantic flair to his solitary figures.

Ferdinand Roybet was among the most celebrated genre painters of the late 19th Century in France. A frequent exhibitor at the Paris Salon, he was renowned for his historical character portraits, often depicting cavaliers, musketeers, and 17th Century nobility in luxuriant fabrics and nostalgic poses. His works are held in numerous public collections including the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon.

The panel measures 24” x 18” and overall with the period gilt frame measures 32 3/4” x 26 7/8”. The painting is in very good condition with crisp details and rich coloration. There is minor frame rubbing visible at the left and right panel edges consistent with age and handling. The panel is structurally stable with no apparent warping or delimitation. The painting is signed F. Roybet 1875 in the lower left corner. The painting is presented in an ornate 19th Century gilt wood frame with high-relief foliate carving and punch work texture. Minor wear, including areas of surface loss and small separations int he gees, is consistent with the frame’s age and complements the antique character of the work.

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