Artwork

Portrait of Charles-Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie comte d'Angiviller (1730-1809)

Portrait of Charles-Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie comte d'Angiviller (1730-1809) is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work is a mid‑18th‑century portrait of Charles‑Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie, comte d’Angiviller (1730‑1809).

About this work

Overview

The work is a mid‑18th‑century portrait of Charles‑Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie, comte d’Angiviller (1730‑1809). Executed around 1750, the painting is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is depicted in elaborate court attire, suggesting his high rank within the French administrative hierarchy. His relaxed stance, confident smile, and the presence of a rolled document imply a role connected to official duties or patronage of the arts.

Technique & Style

Rendered in oil on canvas, the portrait employs a chiaroscuro effect, with a darkened backdrop that accentuates the luminous fabrics—a vivid purple coat trimmed with gold, a white cravat, and a green vest. Details such as a red flower, a star‑shaped pin, and a gilded chair enhance the sense of wealth and status.

History & Provenance

Created by the artist identified only as 1657_person, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its provenance prior to museum acquisition remains undocumented in the available records.

Context

The portrait reflects the conventions of French aristocratic portraiture in the early reign of Louis XV, where elaborate dress and symbolic objects conveyed the sitter’s social position and professional responsibilities within the royal administration.