Attributed To Alexis Grimou, Portrait Of A Man Dressed In Spanish Style, In 17th Century Costume.

This painting of rare intensity, attributed to Alexis Grimou, depicts a young man from the bust, dressed in a satin doublet and a vaporous ruff, in the style of 17th-century Spanish costume. The figure, captured in a slightly turned pose, is lit by a raking light that accentuates the delicacy of the complexion, the brilliance of the fabrics, and the elegance of the carriage of the head. The dark, almost opaque background highlights the modeling of the face, treated with a remarkable skill in light and chiaroscuro. Alexis Grimou, trained in the wake of the classical tradition but strongly influenced by Dutch and Flemish painting—in particular Rembrandt and Van Dyck—is recognized for having introduced an intimate and naturalistic vein into French portraiture of the Regency. Nicknamed "the French Rembrandt," he favored sober, undecorated compositions centered on the gaze and expression of the model, where humanity takes precedence over pomp. The painting presented here clearly belongs to this vein. We find the characteristic attributes of Grimou: – Dark backgrounds, treated in thin layers, sometimes impastoed on the surface – Luminous, subtly pink skin tones, treated with glazes – Shimmering costumes, with a certain taste for moiré, taffeta or lace effects – Direct gaze, both distant and familiar, often marked by a slight enigmatic smile This type of "Spanish" portrait was highly sought after between 1710 and 1730, particularly by the circles of the cultivated bourgeoisie and the nobility of the robe. These were not historical representations, but a pictorial role-play, both allegorical and flattering, in which the model embodied an ideal of inner nobility. Condition: The work has undergone a high-quality restoration: – Canvas mounted, perfectly stable – Well-preserved paint layer, without losses, with beautiful transparency of the glazes – Controlled cleaning, respectful of the original values – No repainting visible to the naked eye or covering overpainting The whole is distinguished by remarkable integrity, a rare thing for a work of this period. The readability of the face, the freshness of the rendering of the ruff and the light effects in the satin sleeve make it an example of particularly careful conservation. Frame: The painting is presented in a Louis XIV period frame, in carved and gilded wood, decorated with scrolls, palmettes, flowers and shells on a guilloché background. Expertly assessed and reproduced by the Turquin firm, under the title Portrait of a young man with a ruff, in 17th century costume This work appears in the reference databases and presents all the expected criteria for a solid attribution to Alexis Grimou. Dimensions: On view: 60 x 46 cm On frame: 79.5 x 66 cm