An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Portrait of Charles-Léonor Aubry, Marquis de Castelnau1701
Artist: Nicolas de Largillière
French, 1656 - 1746
portrait of a man wearing a long, curly grey wig with a prominent center part; man wear a red robe over a black robe with a white collar and white at his cuffs; man holds a thin booklet; landscape in background with pink flowers at left and in URC; tree at left
53 3/4 × 40 11/16 in. (136.53 × 103.35 cm) (sight)
Oil on canvas
Painting
France
18th century
Bequest of Margaret Weyerhaeuser Harmon, bequest of Professor Alfred Moir, and gift of the Henfield Foundation, by exchange
In the stillness of a sunlit garden, one could almost hear the whispers of history swirling around the canvas of time. It was the late seventeenth century, a golden age for artistry, where the air buzzed with creativity and the brushstrokes of master painters graced the walls of Europe. Among these luminaries was Nicolas de Largillière, a man whose talent shone brightly in the realms of portraiture, history, and still life. Yet, strangely, he seldom found himself favored by the glittering court of Versailles—yet his talent spoke volumes to a plethora of patrons.
Imagine a vibrant tapestry of human stories threaded through his work, from noble officials to the wealthy merchant class, all of them shaped by the hands of de Largillière. The impressive tally of over fifteen hundred sitters painted an expansive picture of society, a celebration of authority and essence captured with exquisite detail.
Among those figures was the Marquis de Castelnau, a legal adviser whose very presence commanded respect. His spouse, Catherine Coustard, came from a lineage of flourishing cloth merchants, her roots woven deep in the fabric of France’s domestic prosperity. In the garden of their shared life, flowering plants reached towards the sky, embodying the hope and vibrancy of their union.
In an intriguing turn, Largillière chose to depict the Marquis in a manner so refreshingly different from his usual representations of robed dignitaries in lavish interiors. Here was Castelnau, relaxed and at ease, seated with an open book in hand, surrounded by the cultivated blooms of his garden. This was a moment of tranquility and naturalism that resonated deeply, a departure from the grand settings and elaborate wigs that often defined his earlier works.
As one gazes upon this portrait, it feels as though it breathes life itself, inviting the viewer to pause, reflect, and celebrate both the mundane and extraordinary moments that define our existence. In this serene portrayal, de Largillière not only captured a likeness but also a poignant slice of life—a reminder of the deep connections we forge with one another, held forever in the delicate embrace of paint and canvas.
About the artist
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