Portrait of a Gentleman, David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun, Wearing Armour c.1700

circa 1700

In 1607, the Delft city council decided to commission a portrait of Stadholder Maurits of Nassau for the town hall, with Michiel van Mierevelt as the chosen artist due to the passing...

These lavish portraits, presented by Titan Fine Art, illustrate the elegant and exuberant type of portrait that the French court and the bourgeoisie favoured at the end of the 17th century. Painted circa 1700, they combine a meticulous representation of the subject's face and rich detailed draperies. They are a mastery of colour and of a style perfected by the prestigious painter and Director of the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in Paris, Nicolas de Largilliere. France during this period was the leading exponent of fashion and the arts to the rest of Europe and the fashions arose from the French court itself – and this is evident in the clothing on display in these portraits. The gentleman has been depicted in a russet coat with golden thread embroidery, a white lace cravat, and a rich crimson velvet mantle, that has been deliberately turned over at the top to reveal its purple shot silk lining. The young beautiful lady, whose face is painted with a clear and fresh palette, wears a dress with golden embroidery on the bodice and a huge black diamond brooch, large balloon-like gathered sleeves with lace and tied with a string of pearls, and a luxurious azure blue velvet mantle, tied at the shoulder with a pearl and large diamond brooch, again, deliberately folded to reveal its real gold embroidered lining. Her cheeks are rosy, with red lips: a style in keeping with that was worn at Versailles. The copious number of expensive fabrics, that completely encircle them, serve to underline their social status. The skilful works, with their beautiful colour combinations, create a strong visual impact. The artist demonstrates great skill in the rendering of sumptuous fabrics, the use of vibrant colours, and the realism of the faces. The couple are most likely married, considering the conventions of portraiture at the time, where the male is positioned on the left (and inclined to our right) and the female is positioned on the right (and included to our left). A feature of these portraits are the stunning original carved and gilded frames – they are works of art in their own right. Nicolas de Largillierre was baptised in Paris in 1656. His family relocated to Antwerp when he was approximately three years old. After a journey to London, Largillière's father arranged for him to apprentice with the Flemish artist Anton Goubau. Nevertheless, he departed at the age of eighteen and returned to England, where he formed a friendship and was employed by Sir Peter Lely for four years in Windsor, Berkshire. During this period, Largillière also worked under the guidance of the Italian painter Antonio Verrio. His artwork garnered the interest of Charles II, who desired to keep Largillière in his service; however, he eventually returned to Paris, where he was warmly embraced by the public as a painter. Upon his ascension to the throne in 1685, James II summoned Largillière back to England and offered him the position of keeper of the royal collections. He subsequently painted portraits of the king, Queen Mary of Modena...

Portrait of Barbara Herbert, Countess of Pembroke c.1708 Charles d’Agar (1669-1723) This magnificent large-scale portrait, presented by Titan Fine Art, depicts the British court of...

Titan Fine Art presents this exquisite oil on panel portrait depicting a handsome young gentleman in an exuberant black damask doublet. The pose, with one hand holding gloves and the other akimbo, was one that was well-established for gentleman of the upper echelons of society by the time this work was painted. The principle governing portraits at this time was the recording and defining in visual terms of the position of a sitter in society. In addition to brilliant and complex symbols of luxury, they often contained many symbolic elements too; the inclusion of gloves was often used in portraits that celebrated a betrothal as in ancient times gloves were used to seal a marriage contract. The extraordinary costume of a black shimmering doublet, the brilliant white reticella ruff, and the cuffs edged with lace were immensely costly… this attire proclaims to every onlooker that this is a superior being. The rendering of the reticella lace ruff is exquisite and the artist has recorded the design that runs through the black damask fabric with meticulous attention to detail. The preservation of this black pigment is remarkable considering the age of the work. Black pigments are especially vulnerable to fade and wear over time partly due to environmental condition but also from unprofessional cleaning. This work is an exquisite example from the period. According to the inscription in the upper right, the gentleman was in his 22nd year of age in 1624. The coat of arms, which is displayed without a crest, may be ‘blazoned’ in the language of heraldry, as: Sable on a Chevron between in chief two Roundels and in base a Billet [or possibly Square] Or three Martlets Sable. In plainer English this means a black (Sable) background, spanned by a gold (Or) chevron, above which are two golden solid circles (Roundels), and below which is a gold rectangle (Billet); on the chevron are three small black birds (Martlets). Martlets are a stylised form of heraldic bird, believed to be based on the swift, which are conventionally drawn with small tufts instead of feet. In Continental Europe it is also conventional for them to be drawn without beaks, as appears to be the case here. The birds in this instance also have a vaguely duck-like appearance. Five families have been identified with very close armorial bearings to the one in our portrait. They are the (van) Houthem’s (of Brabant), the Prévinaire’s (of Flanders and Holland), and the Proveneer’s (of Liège) and it must be noted that the locations of these families also fit with the painting’s Flemish origins. However the French Grenières’s (of Île-de-France) and the Jallot’s (of Normandy) are the next closest matches and plausible matches, as Frans Pourbus had settled in Paris just a few years before our portrait was painted. This painting has been assessed by a professional conservator prior to going on sale, and as thus, it can be hung and enjoyed immediately. Frans Pourbus the Younger...

Portrait Traditionally Identified as Richard Jones, 1st Earl Of Ranelagh, 17th Century School Of Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680) Large 17th Century Portrait believed to be Rochard Jones...

Oil on canvas Image size: 30 x 35 inches (76.25 x 89 cm) Carved gilt frame A half-length portrait of a man turned slightly to the left, gazing at the spectator, standing, wearing st...

John Alexander (Scottish, 1686-1766) Portrait of George Gordon, 7th Laird of Buckie (Scottish, 1707-1756), c. 1743 Oil on canvas In a carved ebonised frame, with gilded inner slight...

To see our other views of Oxford and Cambridge, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the view you want. David Loggan (1634-1692) Charles Duke of Somerset...