Portrait of a Man from the Balguerie Family 1719

Landsberghs painted this oval portrait of a Balguerie family member using oil on canvas, measuring 74 by 64 centimeters. The composition centres on the subject's poised gaze and the cascade of his elaborate wig. Notice how Landsberghs uses the textures of paint to distinguish the wig's volume from the smoother rendering of the face and the draped fabric. The contrast draws attention to the cultural codes embedded in such portraiture. The wig, more than mere fashion, signifies status and power. Its artificiality, meticulously crafted, reflects the era’s fascination with constructed identity. The Balguerie family crest adds another layer, anchoring the individual within a network of lineage and social standing. The soft color palette and diffused light create a harmonious, almost dreamlike atmosphere. This aesthetic choice is not merely decorative; it invites us to consider how these elements shape our perception and interpretation of the sitter. The portrait performs a careful balancing act between personal likeness and societal role. It reminds us that even in the act of representation, identity is both revealed and concealed.