Portrait Of A Gentleman C.1720; Follower Of Nicolas De Largillière (1656 - 1746)

The nobleman in this portrait is shown with the grandiloquence characteristic of Largillierre's portraits. Painted circa 1720 the subject is a French Duke and he was been portrayed wearing armour over a white lace cravat and with a crimson mantle. His long flowing wig was an immensely costly item at the time. The portrait has been emblazoned with a coat of arms. Held in a cassetta type wood frame with a presentation label identifying the sitter. Nicolas de Largillierre was born in Paris in 1656. He was the son of a hatmaker and merchant who moved with his family to Antwerp in 1659. At a very early age his artistic gifts were recognised and his father apprenticed him to Antoni Goubau (1616-1698), a painter of bambocciate, genre scenes, and landscapes. He was admitted to the painters' Guild of Saint Luke when he was only 17 and in 1675 he made a second trip to London, where he was employed at Windsor Castle (possibly at the suggestion of Peter Lely [1618-1680]) and worked as a restorer under the direction of Italian painter and decorator Antonio Verrio (c.1639-1707), who brought him to the attention of King Charles II (r. 1660-1685). In 1679 Largillierre settled in Paris. In 1686, Largillierre made another visit to England where he painted portraits of the newly crowned king, James II (r. 1685-1688) and his consort Mary of Modena (1658-1718). He was frequented by the aristocracy, the wealthiest echelons of society, and foreign dignitaries. In the course of his long career he amassed a large fortune and lived on a grand scale. Measurements: Height 99cm, Width 82cm framed (Height 39”, Width 32.25” framed)