Gentleman in Grey Coat

The quick and competent shading of the sitter' s coat and the light dots in the golden embroidery indicate that the artist was educated in Paris and painted in the tradition of Hall and Mosnier. This portrait of a gentleman, as well as the unsigned portrait of a lady with blue ribbons from approx 1797 (cf. cat.-no. 164), is reminiscent of Lemoine' s works. The unknown artist painted the sitter' s face with distinctive features showing will-power, determination and coldness ¹ .

B.P.

¹ The anchors in the embroidery and on the coat buttons suggest that the sitter was a civil officer in the navy. The colour of the coat points to the an office in the French colonies. We are grateful to Mr Pierre Papeloux, Paris, for providing information on the possible status of the sitter.