Artwork

Antoine-Paul-Jacques de Quelen de Stuer de Caussade, duc de La Vauguyon (1706-1772)

Antoine-Paul-Jacques de Quelen de Stuer de Caussade, duc de La Vauguyon (1706-1772) is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Sophie Rochard. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Overview

Sophie Rochard’s 1838 oil portrait presents Antoine‑Paul‑Jacques de Quelen de Stuer de Caussade, duc de La Vauguyon (1706–1772). The work, now in the collection of the Palace of Versailles, depicts the aristocrat in a solemn pose, his gaze directed forward against a dark, muted backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is rendered as a dignified figure in armor, signifying his noble status and perhaps his military affiliations. His white hair and serious expression convey a sense of experience and gravitas, while the blue‑patterned scarf adds a subtle touch of personal distinction.

Technique & Style

Rochard employs a restrained palette of browns, grays, and muted blues, allowing the metallic sheen of the arm armor to stand out. The oil medium enables delicate modeling of facial features and the soft transition between the dark background and the illuminated figure.

History & Provenance

Created in the early nineteenth century, the portrait entered the Versailles collection, where it remains on display. Its presence in the royal palace underscores the continued recognition of the duc’s historical prominence within French aristocracy.

Context

The work reflects the period’s interest in commemorating notable ancestors through formal portraiture. By portraying the duc in armor rather than contemporary dress, Rochard aligns him with the chivalric ideals that persisted in French noble culture even after the Revolution.