Artwork

Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress

Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress, by Nicolas de Largillière, oil, 1710
Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress, by Nicolas de Largillière, oil, 1710

Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Nicolas de Largillière. It dates from 1710 and is held in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress is a 1710 oil painting by Nicolas de Largillière, a French artist who later became director of the Académie de Peinture et de Sculpture.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a young boy in elaborate attire, holding a dog, and gazing directly at the viewer with a serious expression. The boy's pink and black dress with gold accents and curled hair suggest a costume, while the dog's detailed fur adds to the portrait's realism.

Technique & Style

The work exemplifies Rococo style, characterized by rich, muted colors and strong contrasts of light and dark, a technique known as chiaroscuro. The artist's skillful use of oil paint captures the textures of the boy's clothing and the dog's fur, creating a sense of depth and volume.

History & Provenance

The painting is now part of the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection. Created in 1710, it reflects the artistic style of the early 18th century.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Nicolas de Largillière

Artist

Nicolas de Largillière

Nicolas de Largillière (French: ; baptised 10 October 1656 – 20 March 1746) was a French painter and draughtsman. From 1733 until 1735, he was director of the Académie de Peinture et de Sculpture.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: J. Paul Getty Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.