Portrait of a Gentleman C.1780, Circle Antoine Vestier (1740-1824)

A good quality large French portrait of a gentleman c.1780. The sitter has been portrayed wearing attire that was at the height of European fashion and the fabrics were the very best. The blue coat bears gold embroidered buttons and upturned sleeves and the blue and white pinstripe waistcoat is exemplary. A gentleman’s ensemble would not be complete without the cravat; in this case exuberant ruffles below a bow. The design of the collar is slightly unusual and probably follows a specific trend during the last quarter of the century.

France greatly excelled in the arts during the 18th century, producing some of the highest quality and most sought after works. A fine example of European portraiture from the period of Marie Antoinette.

Held in a fine 18th century gilt frame (egg and dart detail) and supported on a good quality stretcher.

Provenance: French private collection

Measurements: Height 88cm, Width 74cm framed (Height 34.5”, Width 29” framed)

Antoine Vestier (1740-1824) was born in Avallon France and died in Paris. He moved to Paris around 1758 and worked for an enamelist whose daughter he married in 1764. He painted mainly portraits and was well known for his exquisite small scale works. He exhibited at the Salon de la Correspondance and later became a member of the Royal Academy of Painting. He became painter to the French King and lived in the Louvre. His work is held in many museums most notably in his native France.

Much more info about this item at: www.titanfineart.com

In a market saturated with available paintings, Titan Fine Art offers a specially curated selection. Each piece is meticulously chosen based on technical merit, provenance, and decorative appeal, professionally conserved and researched, ensuring our clients view only the finest examples of British and European art.

With over 20 years of expertise and 1,000+ works placed with collectors and institutions, we are one of the most prolific specialists in 17th and 18th-century portraiture. We combine a scholarly approach with museum-level rigor to replace the uncertainty of the open market with absolute confidence.

Why Buy From Titan Fine Art?

• Expertly Curated Selection

We act as your expert eye, selecting only high-quality works that offer genuine historical and artistic value.

• Museum-Level Research

Each portrait is supported by extensive academic research, often exceeding 40 hours, to establish attribution, sitter identity, and historical context.

• Professional Conservation

All paintings are carefully cleaned and stabilised by professional conservators, and are presented ready to hang.

• Transparent Pricing

No buyer’s premium or hidden fees—unlike auction houses, where additional costs can add 25–35%.

• Export Pricing Advantage

Reduced pricing is available for works exported outside the UK.

• Specialist Global Shipping

We manage the entire process, including custom crating, export documentation, and fully tracked delivery worldwide.

• Buy with Confidence

A 7-day return policy and the option to pay in GBP, USD, or EUR for convenience and transparency.

• Original Period Frames

Many works retain their original carved and gilded frames, which are works of art in their own right and enhance both historical authenticity and decorative impact.

• Personal Advisory Service

We work directly with collectors and interior designers, offering guidance on selection, scale, and placement—including bespoke room mock-ups on request.

Subscribe to our monthly 'new item alert' to be the first to hear about new works