Portrait Of A Young Officer, Pastel, Late 18th Century

Portrait of a Young Officer – Pastel – Late 18th Century
French School, circa 1775–1785
Pastel on paper Antique frame
Dimensions with frame 76 x 60 cm

A charming pastel portrait of a young officer, shown half-length. His gaze is direct, his face finely modeled, with an expression that is both gentle and confident, typical of portraits of young men from the late 18th century.
The sitter wears a light blue coat with a black collar, enhanced by a gold epaulette that signifies his officer status. Although the uniform is not secondary, the artist focuses primarily on the freshness of the face, the quality of the drawing, and the delicate nuances of the pastel.
The pastel technique, highly valued at this time for private portraits, allows for a vibrant rendering of skin tones and gives the whole an immediate and captivating presence. This type of portrait was often intended for intimate, family, or even sentimental use.

A fine example of an 18th-century male portrait, both decorative and endearing, which appeals as much for the quality of its execution as for the obvious charm of the young model.