Study to a portrait of Louis Joseph Xavier of France, Duke of Burgundy 

Maurice Quentin de la Tour created this study of Louis Joseph Xavier of France, Duke of Burgundy, using pastels. At first glance, the image is dominated by soft, muted colors and delicate lines, which give the portrait an ethereal quality. The textures are gentle, creating a sense of calm and innocence. De la Tour's use of pastel is particularly significant. Pastel allowed him to achieve a level of detail and softness that aligns with the Rococo aesthetic, which favored lightheartedness and grace. It creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if we are encountering the Duke in a fleeting moment. The composition, tightly focused on the Duke's face, draws our attention to his expression, capturing a sense of youthful vulnerability. Considered within its cultural context, this portrait destabilizes the traditional, formal portraiture of royalty. De la Tour's focus on capturing a sense of naturalism challenges fixed notions of power and representation. The portrait invites ongoing interpretation, reflecting the fluid nature of identity and representation.