Le Marquis de Puente-Fuerte 1761 - 1762

Jean-Baptiste Perronneau created this pastel portrait, Le Marquis de Puente-Fuerte, sometime in the 18th century. The work is immediately striking for its delicate, almost ethereal quality, achieved through Perronneau’s masterful handling of the pastel medium. The Marquis is depicted in profile, his gaze directed off to the side, lending the work an air of contemplative detachment. Perronneau's meticulous layering of pastel creates a soft, diffused light that envelops the figure, blurring the boundaries between form and space. Notice how the artist captures the textures of the Marquis’s clothing, from the smooth satin of his coat to the delicate lace at his neck. The composition adheres to the conventions of portraiture, yet Perronneau introduces subtle disruptions. The Marquis is not centered, creating a sense of imbalance. This destabilization hints at the shifting social and political landscapes of the 18th century, where traditional hierarchies were being questioned. The pastel medium itself, with its ephemeral quality, reflects this era's preoccupation with capturing fleeting moments of beauty and refinement. Ultimately, this portrait offers a glimpse into a world on the cusp of change, where elegance and uncertainty coexist.