Portrait of Alexandre-Jean-Joseph Le Riche de La Pouplinière 

This is an undated pastel portrait of Alexandre-Jean-Joseph Le Riche de La Pouplinière by Maurice Quentin de La Tour. La Pouplinière was a wealthy French financier and patron of the arts, known for his significant contributions to the cultural life of 18th-century Paris. La Tour, a master of the pastel medium, captures La Pouplinière's affable nature. His gaze, though direct, seems to convey a sense of ease and confidence, reflective of his high social standing. The soft, diffused light and the pastel medium lend a certain approachability to the portrait, inviting the viewer into the world of the French aristocracy. What does it mean to capture someone's likeness? How do these representations uphold or challenge certain ideals? La Pouplinière's identity as a patron is central to understanding his representation. The portrait stands not only as a record of his physical appearance but also as a symbol of his cultural influence and the power he wielded. It offers insight into the complex relationships between artists, patrons, and the construction of identity in the 18th century.