Portrait of a Young Man with a Wig

Largillière employs chiaroscuro to model the young man’s features, allowing light to fall on the face and clothing against a deep, muted background. The handling of oil paint renders the texture of velvet and lace with subtle brushwork, reflecting the Rococo’s preference for delicate surface treatment and nuanced tonal contrasts.

After its completion, the portrait entered private collections before being acquired by the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, where it remains on display. The painting illustrates Largillière’s role as a leading portraitist of his time and his later position as director of the Académie de Peinture et de Sculpture, underscoring his influence on French academic art.