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

Maurice Quentin de La Tour, known for his pastel portraits, created this lifelike depiction of Alexandre-Jean-Joseph Le Riche de La Pouplinière, a French patron of the arts. The pastel medium lends itself to subtle gradations of color and a soft, almost ethereal quality. The sitter's piercing gaze and composed expression convey a sense of intelligence and dignity, capturing the essence of a man who held a prominent position in French society during the 18th century. The composition is simple, focusing on the sitter's face and upper torso, with the background blending into a muted blue, highlighting the subject against the understated backdrop.