Artwork

Portrait of Actor as Apollo

Portrait of Actor as Apollo, by Louis Tocqué, oil, 1755
Portrait of Actor as Apollo, by Louis Tocqué, oil, 1755

Portrait of Actor as Apollo is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Louis Tocqué. It dates from 1755 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

This 1755 oil painting, Portrait of Actor as Apollo, is a work by French artist Louis Tocqué. It is part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Pierre Jélyotte, a French actor, dressed as Apollo, the Greek god of music and poetry. He is shown with a golden lyre, an ancient Greek instrument, in an elaborate, gold-trimmed costume.

Technique & Style

The artist employed chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts between light and dark to emphasize the subject. Soft light highlights Jélyotte's face and hands, while the dark, blurry background makes him stand out. The work exemplifies the Rococo style, characterized by elegant, refined, and ornate elements.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Louis Tocqué

Artist

Louis Tocqué

Jean Louis Tocqué (French pronunciation: ; 19 November 1696 – 10 February 1772) was a French painter. He specialized in portrait painting.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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