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François Armand de Gontaut, Duc de Biron

Nicolas de Largillière (French, 1656–1746)
1714

Medium/Technique Oil on canvas
Dimensions 138.8 x 106.7 cm (54 5/8 x 42 in.)
Credit Line Juliana Cheney Edwards Collection
Accession Number1981.283
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsPaintings
Largilliere's sensuous delight in colors and textures transformed a solemn and formal type of seventeenth-century portrait into the new Rococo style of the eighteenth century. Although this young military officer is posed in a traditional way, Largilliere places him before a soft, atmospheric landscape and emphasizes the contrast of skillfully rendered textures, from the plush leopard skin cape and free-flowing curls to the smooth leather gloves and armor glinting with tinted highlights.

Signed Reverse of original canvas: Peint par N. de Largillierre / 1714
ProvenancePossibly by descent from the sitter to the Marquis of Sourches (?) [see note 1]. By 1922, duc des Cars, Paris. By 1935, Galerie Paul Cailleux, Paris. Albert Buisson (b. 1881 - d. 1961), Paris; by descent within the family; February 8, 1981, Buisson descendants sale (?), Sotheby's, Monaco, lot 73, not sold. 1981, Galerie Paul Cailleux, Paris; 1981, sold by Cailleux to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 16, 1981)

NOTES:
[1] Charlotte de Gontaut-Biron (b. 1711 - d. 1740), sister of the sitter, married Louis du Bouchet (b. 1711 - d. 1787 [?]), Marquis de Sourches, in 1730.