Portrait of Prince Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland 1754

Jean-Étienne Liotard’s portrait of Prince Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, is an exercise in restrained elegance. Executed in pastel, the portrait emphasizes soft textures and delicate gradations of color. The composition is structured around a triad of geometric forms: the Prince's face, the jacket, and the set of cubes on the table. Notice how the Prince's gaze meets ours directly, establishing a formal relationship between the viewer and the subject. The bright blue jacket, punctuated by gold, draws the eye and anchors the composition, while the cubes suggest themes of structure and order. Liotard employs a muted palette, with subtle tonal shifts enhancing the sense of depth and volume. The pastel medium itself contributes to the portrait’s quiet intensity, as the artist's control over the material suggests not only meticulous technique but also a commentary on the Prince's status. Ultimately, Liotard’s portrait is more than a depiction of royalty; it’s an essay on the nature of representation itself.