By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

DESTREHAN – Destrehan Plantation celebrated a homecoming of sorts Wednesday as it unveiled the latest addition to its collection, a portrait of Jean Noel Destrehan believed to have been painted in the early 1800s.

The painting was previously owned by Linda Hardy Jackson, a descendent of Destrehan’s sister, Jeanne Marie Destrehan.

According to River Road Historical Society Executive Director Nancy Robert, the plantation acquired the painting after years of negotiations.

“She had a special love and didn’t really want us to purchase it,” said Robert, who added, “We appreciate her sacrifice and truly cherish this addition to our collection.”

The oil-on-canvas portrait is thought to be the work of Matthew Harris Jouett and was painted around 1818. The Azby Fund, which Robert said has donated over $1 million to the River Road Historical Society over the last 20 years, provided the funds for the purchase and display of the painting.

The portrait will be housed in the plantation’s Legacy Room until construction of a specially designed case for it is complete. The case is being built in Germany and will be finished sometime in early 2011.

After its completion, the painting will be moved to its permanent home in the plantation’s Jefferson Room. It will be housed alongside an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson appointing Destrehan and others to the Orleans Territorial Council.

In celebration of the addition of the nearly-200-year-old portrait, St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. was presented with a Giclee print of the portrait.

After looking at the print, St. Pierre quipped, “Looks like me when I was real young and had hair.”

St. Pierre said the print will hang in the St. Charles Parish Courthouse in Hahnville.