Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659 - 1743) Scuola di

Hyacinthe RIGAUD (Perpignan 1659 - Paris 1743) School of Portrait of a gentleman in armor: Monsieur Jean Francois Raymond de Lasbordes, Officer of the Landes Regiment, as well as Knight of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis Place and date of execution: Huningue (Alsace, France) August 20, 1723 oil on canvas (cm 71 x 58 - In a fine frame of the time cm 94 x 80) The painting here examined, depicting a gentleman in armor and datable around the early eighteenth century, is to be attributed to a painter from the school of Hyacinthe RIGAUD (Perpignan 1659 - Paris 1743), one of the most significant portrait painters of his time and a great interpreter of the French school, working almost exclusively at the courts of Louis XIV and then Louis XV. The portrayed figure, in particular, which can be identified with the French gentleman and soldier Monsieur Jean Francois Raymond de Lasbordes, ostentatiously displays the military honor as a member and knight of the French Order of Saint-Louis, as evidenced by the pin he wears on his chest. The Order of Saint-Louis (full name: Ordre Royal et Militaire de Saint-Louis) was a French military chivalric order founded on April 5, 1693 by Louis XIV, taking its name from Saint Louis (Louis IX). It was reserved as a reward for deserving officers and is usually known for being the first decoration to be admitted even for non-nobles, and is considered the ancestor of the Legion of Honor, its members performing the same functions. This is a work of remarkable formal and aesthetic elegance. Note the meticulous rendering of the facial features, the sharpness of the contours highlighted by the light, and the expressive strength of the eyes. The face is characterized by chiaroscuro passages that realistically reproduce the light and its effects, rendered with great skill. The image manifests the typical characteristics of French celebratory portraiture, with a formula often used by Rigaud and his atelier for portraits of members of the French aristocracy, presented in half-figure profile, in our case slightly turned to the right, whose gaze fixes with the spectator. Hyacinthe RIGAUD (Perpignan, 1659 – Paris, 1743), was a French painter of Catalan origins. In 1682, he won the Prix de Rome, the scholarship that allowed him to spend time at the French Academy in Rome, but on the advice of Charles Le Brun he renounced the prize and concentrated on his portrait painting activity. At the court of Louis XIV he met the favor of ambassadors, men of the Church, courtiers and businessmen who posed for him. His portraits, sumptuous yet austere, are now also appreciated as a source for the history of costume and fashion, since, in addition to the physiognomic resemblance, they manage to render the details of clothing and furniture. Rigaud's most famous work is the official portrait of King Louis XIV (signed and dated 1701), kept at the Louvre Museum (a copy, made by the artist always at the request of the sovereign, is at the Palace of Versailles). He became Academician of France in 1700 and in 1701 he was appointed painter of the king. In 1709 he became part of the nobility of his hometown and in 1727 he was appointed knight of the Order of Saint Michael. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work is sold complete with a pleasant antique gilded frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card. We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery of Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/