Prince Charles Edward Stewart 

This portrait of Prince Charles Edward Stewart was rendered in pastel by Maurice Quentin de la Tour, who was the master of this medium in 18th-century France. Pastel is a fascinating material, as it sits between drawing and painting. These sticks of pure pigment, bound with just enough medium to hold them together, allow for an immediacy that oil paint simply cannot provide. Look closely, and you’ll see the textured strokes on the page, a record of the artist’s hand. De la Tour uses the pastel to great effect to capture the Prince’s likeness, bringing out the soft glow of his skin against the hard gleam of his armor. The powdered pigment creates a subtle, almost dreamlike quality, a softness that belies the Prince's martial appearance. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about what is depicted, but how the artist’s technique and materials inform the final result. By exploring these elements, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork.