Gentleman in Aubergine-Coloured Coat
Augustin' s portraits of gentlemen are rather plain: his sitters often face the right and direct their view towards the observer. Usually the background is painted in a neutral green-grey, and the decoration is restricted to some embroidery on the gentleman' s jabot and waistcoat. In this portrait, the focus lies on capturing the sitter' s characteristic features. "A perfect similarity, precious details, realistic colours and a soft guidance of the brush distinguish most of his [Augustin' s] portraits; we have noticed some of first-class quality. [...]" 1 . Such was the praise of a critic on the occasion of the 1799 salon.A list shows that after 1789 only a few of Augustin' s sitters bore a title. During that period the class system was rather difficult, and Augustin mainly portrayed clients from the so-called third class, among others locksmiths, cloth merchants, bakers and distillers for whom he made special terms and conditions. The different painting techniques offered by Augustin also reflect the difficult class system: in addition to miniatures he also painted in oil and pastel colours and with drawing pencils 2 .
B.P.
1 Examen de cette exposition 1799, CD 21/567, pp. 289-290.
2 The list of Augustin' s commissioners from ca. 1780 to 1800 also contains information on painting techniques and prices. It is published in Williamson 1906-1908, vol. 4, pp. 163-169.
