Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Périgord 1817

Pierre-Paul Prud'hon painted this portrait of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Périgord using oil. The composition is anchored by a muted palette, where sombre greens and blacks are punctuated by the stark white of Talleyrand’s powdered hair and stockings. The formal attire and calculated pose exude an air of aristocratic detachment. Prud’hon was skilled in imbuing his portraits with a neoclassical aesthetic. Talleyrand, a key figure in French diplomacy, stands amidst symbols of power and culture, including classical busts and ornate furnishings. The subdued color scheme contributes to a sense of controlled authority, while the soft, diffused light lends an almost dreamlike quality to the scene. The composition is carefully arranged to convey a sense of intellectual and political prowess, reflecting the sitter’s complex role in a tumultuous era. This portrait not only captures the likeness of Talleyrand, but also signifies the broader political and philosophical discourses of his time.