File:Bella parrucche.jpg

(b. 1656, Paris, d. 1746, Paris)

Portrait of a Man in a Purple Robe c. 1700 Oil on canvas, 80 x 63 cm Staatliche Museen, Kassel

Together with Hyacinthe Rigaud, Largilliere was the most sought-after French portrait painter of the early 18th century, giving the aristocratic formal portrait developed by Rigaud a sober, more realistic aspect, complementing the magnificent poses and incidental detail with a lifelike rendering of the face.

In this portrait of an unidentified sitter in a somewhat extended head-and-shoulders view, the subject looks out, calm and self-assured, his noble features framed by the luxuriant full-bottomed wig and loosely-draped purple robe.

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Author: LARGILLIÈRE, Nicolas de Title: Portrait of a Man in a Purple Robe Time-line: 1701-1750 School: French Form: painting