Gabriel Bernard de Rieux 1741

This portrait of Gabriel Bernard de Rieux by Maurice Quentin de La Tour, completed in 1741, is an excellent example of the artist's signature style. La Tour's pastel portraits are renowned for their delicate lines and masterful use of color, capturing the sitter's likeness with striking precision. The work, now housed at the J. Paul Getty Museum, depicts de Rieux in a seated pose, his gaze directed towards the viewer, suggesting a sense of confidence and intellectual curiosity. The rich detail of his clothing and the surrounding furnishings adds to the overall realism and grandeur of the composition.