A Pair (2) Portraits Of Young Gentleman C.1710; Circle Of Robert Levrac-tournières (1667-1752)

The charming works are excellent examples of child portraiture, painted during the first quarter of the 18th century, in France. During this period youngsters were dressed in the same fashion as adults and in portraiture they were also depicted in the same poses as adults. The attire seen here refers to nobility.

One gentleman is wearing a red coat with the typical striking wide cuffs, large ornamental and expensive gold buttons, and rich galloon braiding. The cravat is made of fine muslin which was a development from the earlier lace. The hand tucked into the coat and the cocked hat with gold edging and exotic ostrich feathers placed under his arm, was a common pose for a gentlemanly demeanour and a gesture of proper social etiquette in portraits at the time.

Generally dark in colour, tricornes were often edged with a gold braided trim after about 1675. The tricorne hat emerged as the most fashionable hat for men in the late 17th century and most of the 18th century. The other young gentleman is wearing the same type of coat, in blue, and also holds his tricorn under his arm.Remarkable for their bold use of colour, the deep saturation of the blues and red, and the richness of the drapery. The portraits are very charming and have an intimate quality and the faces are particularly well rendered. These are features of Tournieres oeuvre. The portraits are still in their original carved and gilded frames.

Robert Le Vrac de Tournières (1667-1752) was a French painter mainly known for his portraits but he also painted genre, history, and mythology subjects. Tournières showed his talent in painting when he was very young and he was already active in Paris at the age of 20. There he was a successful artist and ranked amongst the best artists of the day and he enjoyed a great reputation. He was notable for being received twice into the Académie royale de peinture (in 1702 as a portrait painter and in 1716 as a history painter). His pupils were Francois Jovenet and Pierre Nicolas Huilliot. At the age of 82 he returned to Caen where he retired. His work can be seen in museums worldwide; there is a striking image of Voltaire painted at the age of 13 in the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Provenance: Private French (Paris) collection

Measurements: Height 73cm, Width 64cm, Depth 8cm framed (Height 28.75”, Width 25”, Depth 3” framed)