Ung mand 1726 - 1748

This is a pastel portrait of an unknown young man by David Gardelle, likely made sometime in the 1740s. Paintings like this can offer a fascinating glimpse into the social codes of 18th-century Europe. Here we see a young man, fashionably dressed, and gazing confidently off to the side. Pastel portraits were popular among the middle and upper classes. They offered a relatively affordable way to record one's likeness, and were often displayed in the home as symbols of status and taste. In countries like France, these portraits were also a way to participate in a growing culture of celebrity and image-making. The Académie Royale played a key role, shaping artistic standards and providing a venue for artists to exhibit their work. Art historians use a range of resources to understand these images, from archival documents to fashion history, to explore the ways in which individuals constructed their identities through art. Gardelle's portrait, in its own small way, reflects a society fascinated by appearances and eager to leave its mark.