Mid-18th-Century French School, Portrait Of A Gentleman With A Letter Sensual The deep red drapery behind

The deep red drapery behind

he’s probably depicting his wife

Behind them

thus furthering their opportunities

with much the same zest for truth

Mid-18th-Century French School, Portrait Of A Gentleman With A Letter Sensual The deep red drapery behindThis mid 18th century French oil painting depicts a composed gentleman shown half length against a softly graduated background, dressed in a finely cut brown coat fastened with gilt buttons over a white shirt and lace cravat. Tucked beneath his arm is a black tricorn hat edged in gold braid, while in his right hand he holds a folded letter sealed in red wax. Here, the handling is confident and refined. The flesh tones are built with subtle transitions