Majestic and fine quality early 18th century portrait of a nobleman attributed to Jean -Baptiste van Loo. The elegant sitter stand three-quarter length within an interior infront of stonework and drapery. This gentleman is no doubt a man of high stature and rank as prominently perched inside his pocket is the sword which marks this gentleman�s noble status within society. This courtsword or in its French origin, known as ��p�e de cour� meaning �sword of the court� was a lighter and more agile variant of its heavier rapier predecessor from the Renaissance. Significantly, the smallsword originated in France but soon engulfed the rest of Europe and solidified its high-fashion connotation. Government officials of the late 17th and 18th centuries would present them in their portraits to delineate their ruling power. Swords of this manner can also be found in portraits of other professions such as admirals and lieutenants. Our sitter is adorned in the habit � la fran�aise that befits the Rococo aesthetic. The standout colours of the luxurious royal blue velvet coat and breeches combined with the golden embroidered waistcoat, coalesce to contrast the stone pilasters lining the background. Van Loo portrait backgrounds, tend to be hazed and less defined, allowing for full attention to the central subject. Due to this, our sitter�s features become more prominent such as their opulent laced jabot with the matching cuffs. Nestled under the sitter�s left arm, is a tricorne or ''cocked hat'' as it was commonly known. Societal etiquette dictated that these hats would be tucked under one�s arm upon entering a building, as our gentleman perfectly demonstrates. The tricorne was also used as an accessory to show off one�s wig and by extension, their domineering social status. Trendsetting in the 18th century was a gentlemanly vocation. The greatest innovations were from peruke (male wigs) styles, such as the adoption of the �bagwigs�. Bagwigs or �perruques en ...