Painted just prior to the French Revolution, this beautifully rendered ‘society portrait’ depicts a charismatic young gentleman wearing a fine blue crimson lined jacket with large covered buttons, a stock, and a sheer frill down the front of his shirt. The powdered wig is tied in the back with a large queue. These fashionable yet restrained clothes speaks visually to his social status. There is a real sense of the sitter’s gentle character. France greatly excelled in the arts during the 18th century, producing some of the highest quality and most sought after works.Antoine Vestier (1740-1824) was from a family of Avallon merchants, originally from Troyes. At a young age he his talent in painting garnered the attention of the wealthy noble, the Count of Chastellux. Thanks to him, he was able to leave his native Burgundy around 1758 and settle in Paris studying with Jean-Baptiste Pierre. He painted mainly portraits and was well known for his exquisite small-scale works. After ...