Marquis Of Saint Vrain, After Quentin De La Tour, Pastel XVIII

Very large pastel representing Louis Duval of Epinoy (1696-1778) Marquis de Saint Vrain from 1747 to 1769, financial adviser Secretary of the King under Louis XV, in front of his library and holding a snuffbox in his hands. In 1750, in the grounds of the Château de Saint-Vrain, he erected the obelisk of triangulation in tribute to the geographer Cassini, for his work on the geography of France by his precise system of measurements using the meridians. The castle of Saint Vrain later became property of Mrs. Du Barry. The original portrait by Quentin de la Tour was presented in Paris at the Salon of 1745. Pastel treated by Diderot in his official account of the Salon which made a nice appreciation. The Marquis was a friend of the painter as this one mentioned under the portrait, which Diderot raised. After other owners - except the descendants who found him in 1802 in their mansion in Paris by the 1st Consul Napoleon Bonaparte - protrait was acquired last by the Calouste Gubelkian Foundation in Lisbon where he is exhibited in his museum dedicated to his collections. Pastel on paper on canvas, under its original glass and in its gilded carved wooden frame of the 19th century. Dust cleaning of the glass on both sides was carried out as well as insulation of the outside air by a ribbon around it. Excellent general condition. Dimensions: Overall: Height: 112 cm - Width 92 cm Portrait at sight: Height: 97.1 cm - Width: 78.3 cm