Portrait of Francesco Algarotti 1745

This pastel portrait, created in 1745 by Jean-Étienne Liotard, depicts Francesco Algarotti, an Italian writer and art connoisseur. Liotard was a Swiss painter known for his mastery of pastel, a dry medium that creates a soft and delicate effect. The sitter is rendered with a high level of detail, from his powdered wig to the fur-trimmed coat he wears. The work is a fine example of Rococo portraiture, a style that emphasized elegance, grace, and naturalism. The portrait is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.