Portrait of a Man

Swathes of fabric and the equally voluminous curls of a substantial wig fill this painting. Emerging from within these fashionable items, the sitter’s face draws attention with a gentle smile. The artist has closely observed the warm glow of the man’s skin, the fine network of expression lines, and the glistening – though piercing – eyes. There is a suggestion of familiarity and openness in the man’s gaze, and a settled, relaxed air to the pose, anchored by the weight of his velvet coat. In the foreground – in the space closest to the viewer – the dark sleeve has been folded back, making sure that the opulent golden lining is impossible to ignore. Although the identity of this man is as yet unknown, he is a man of status – able to afford the most luxurious fabrics.

These expertly noted details suggest an assured hand of a studio assistant working for French artist, Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659-1743). Rigaud was sought after by the courtiers of Versailles to capture their likenesses in a similar manner to the portraits that he created of the ‘Sun King’, Louis XIV (1638-1715). Producing on average thirty-five portraits a year over a career that spanned more than six decades, Rigaud would have relied heavily on his studio assistants, while adding a touch of his own hand here and there.