Study for the Portrait of Louis Pasteur 1885

This portrait study, created in 1885 by Finnish artist Albert Edelfelt, depicts Louis Pasteur, a renowned French chemist and microbiologist. The painting captures Pasteur in a moment of contemplation, perhaps working on his scientific research, which significantly impacted the fields of medicine and bacteriology. Edelfelt’s use of light and shadow, visible in the painting's subdued tones and the concentration on Pasteur's face, creates a sense of depth and realism, making the subject appear both scientific and human.