Antoine Gaspard Grimold de la Reyniere 

This is Maurice Quentin de La Tour's portrait of Antoine Gaspard Grimold de la Reyniere. A pastel portrait which captures the sitter in a moment of poised self-assurance. Painted in an era defined by rigid social structures, this portrait offers us a glimpse into the life of the French upper class. The powdered wig, the opulent pink coat trimmed with gold, and the delicate lace cuffs all speak to a life of privilege and status. But let’s not forget what these garments symbolize: exclusion, power, and the vast inequalities that fueled the French Revolution, which was looming on the horizon. De la Tour, renowned for his ability to capture the personalities of his sitters, here presents la Reyniere with a slight smile, perhaps suggesting a man aware of his position and confident in his role. The gaze is direct, but there is a softness there too, hinting at the complexities of identity beyond mere social status. It’s a balancing act that forces us to question what is seen and unseen.