Benouville first exhibited at the Salon in 1838, after studying under Picot, and he remained true to the academic tradition throughout his life. In 1845 he won the Prix de Rome. In 1852, after his return from Rome, he began submitting anecdotal history pieces and religious paintings to the Salons. He collaborated with Amaury Duval on the decoration of the church of Saint-Germaine-en-Laye.
This is a study for the man seated in the front row of the amphitheatre in Les martyrs, immediately to the right of the tunnel entrance. Although the pose and drapery are identical the features are very different, and Aubrun believes that the figure in the painting is a portrait of the critic E-J. Delécluze. The figure in the squared drawing has been enlarged approximately two and one-half times for the finished painting.
This portrait study for Les Martyrs matches the man at the extreme left of the painting in the second row of seats.
( Wiepke Loos)
