Portrait Of A Prince In Armor. By Joseph Vivien (1657-1734)

Oil on canvas Presented in its beautiful 17th century period frame, model with flowered corners, in carved wood with its original gilding. Total dimensions: 100 x 85 cm. The canvas: 82 x 65.5 cm This rare and elegant portrait represents a young prince in armor (we are continuing our research to identify the model.) The painter portrayed him against a background of blue sky, bust, head profile turned to his left. He wears an imposing, particularly long and thick wig, which allows us to date this painting to the end of the 17th century. The gaze with blue eyes, lively and determined; the fleshy and at the same time sensual lips make this work a rare example of the art of French portraiture under Louis XIV by its pictorial quality and the beauty of the character. Note that the flowery spandrels on a gold background are original! Joseph VIVIEN, French painter (Lyon 1657 - Bonn 1734). From 1672, he was a pupil of Bonnemer in Paris and evolved in the entourage of Le Brun. Although he executed a few religious paintings (now lost), he specialized in portraiture, most often in pastel, and, as such, was received at the Academy: Portrait of Girardon and Portrait of Robert de Cotte (1698-99, Louvre). He now devotes a good part of his activity to the courts of Cologne and Bavaria (many portraits of princes preserved in Munich: Alte Pin., Residence, Schleissheim). His oil paintings are rare, the most important is the allegory of the Reunion of Max-Emmanuel of Bavaria with his family (1715-1733, Munich, Alte Pin.). His official portraits, with their marked and somewhat monotonous features, show a certain stiffness, which disappears in the effigies of figures of lesser rank (Fénelon, 1713, Versailles; Samuel Bernard, 1699, Rouen museum; probably his chief -of work) or artists (Self-portrait, 1730, Munich, Alte Pin.; 1699, Uffizi; Portrait of a painter, 1698, Louvre; Hardouin-Mansart, Hermitage). Vivien established with Rosalba Carriera the fashion for pastel portraits, which were to enjoy great success throughout the century. Related work: Joseph VIVIEN (1657-1734) Portrait of Prince-elector of Bavaria Maximilien-Emmanuel Oil/canvas 72 x 56 cm Lot: 46 Price with fees: €28,600 LECLERE - Old Masters auction house 08/11/2017 DROUOT-RICHELIEU, Paris, France Reproduced on page 45 of the catalog Very good condition. Sold with invoice & certificate *Payment facilities on request