Ritratto di gentiluomo francese
Jean-Baptiste van Loo (Aix-en-Provence, 1684 - 1745) entourage
Jean-Baptiste van Loo (Aix-en-Provence, 1684 – 1745)
entourage
Portrait of a French gentleman
Oil on canvas
93 x 77 cm.
In an antique frame (with imperfections) 103 x 87 cm.
The matching pendant is also available - link -
The painting depicts a gentleman in a stately and elegant pose, typical of 18th-century aristocratic portraiture: he is portrayed in half-length, with his body slightly inclined and his gaze fixed directly on the viewer, conveying an air of confidence and self-assurance. He wears a sumptuous blue velvet overcoat over a waistcoat finely embroidered with floral or arabesque motifs in silver thread and silk, embellished with a white lace cravat, known as a jabot, which completes the elegant ‘à la mode’ attire of the time.
The gentleman’s right hand rests on a table covered with a red cloth, next to what appears to be an inkwell with a quill and a sheet of paper, suggesting that the subject is a man of culture, a man of letters or a civil servant. The background setting is also understated yet elegant, characterised by the presence of a column on the left, which lends an aura of solemnity and architectural significance.
The subject poses naturally whilst looking at the viewer, conscious of his rank, in keeping with the pictorial conventions of the time which, to convey a sentiment, required painters to hint at emotions without making them explicit – and thus vulgar.
The stylistic features and compositional choices in this high-quality portrait recall examples of the finest French portraiture of the early eighteenth century, celebrated for its ability to capture the aristocratic elegance and refinement typical of the Rococo period.
In particular, we are inclined to attribute its execution to a skilled portraitist from the circle of Jean-Baptiste van Loo (Aix-en-Provence, 1684 – 1745), one of the most celebrated French portraitists of the 18th century: the master’s style is evident in the meticulous attention to detail and in the rendering of the lustre of the fabrics (such as the silk moiré) and the naturalness of the complexion – elements that ensured him enormous success at European courts, including the English court.
Belonging to a prestigious dynasty of painters of Dutch origin, his career spanned France, Italy and England; he was renowned for having immortalised Europe’s leading monarchs and aristocrats.
The painter was at the head of a prestigious family workshop, active at various European courts such as Turin, Paris and London,
which involved close family members and talented pupils to meet the extremely high demand for royal and aristocratic commissions.
The work we are examining here perfectly exemplifies Van Loo’s mastery in combining observational realism with elegant colourism.
His works enjoyed extraordinary success thanks to his ability to combine elegance with a psychological likeness of his subjects.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is complete with a lovely gilded wooden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and guarantee.
We arrange and organise the transport of purchased works, both within Italy and abroad, using professional and insured carriers.
It is also possible to view the painting at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we would be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of works.
Please feel free to contact us, with no obligation, for any further information.
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