Portrait of a Young Man c. 18th century

Anne-Louis Girodet created this sensitive likeness using colored chalks on paper, a technique that was already centuries old by the late 1700s. Chalk is interesting because it sits in a zone between drawing and painting. In this case, the effect is painterly, with subtle gradations of tone that give the young man’s face a soft, almost porcelain quality. Look closely, and you'll see how Girodet has used the different colors of chalk to capture the light and shadow on his subject's face and clothing. The velvety texture of the chalk lends itself well to capturing the luxurious fabrics of the coat. It’s worth remembering that while portraiture like this could be considered fine art, it also functioned as a kind of social media of its day, helping to fix status and identity. A work like this reminds us that all art is made within a context. And even a relatively humble medium like chalk can be used to powerful effect.