Portrait of a Young Artist, presumed to be Jacques Andre Naigeon 

Editor: This is "Portrait of a Young Artist, presumed to be Jacques Andre Naigeon," attributed to Jean-Honoré Fragonard, made with oil paints. The sitter is pallid, and there's this captivating red color contrasting with his skin that feels so rich and tactile! What catches your eye about the way this painting was made? Curator: Well, for me, it’s how the Rococo style, known for its ornamentation, gets a working-over here. Fragonard, a master of the brush, displays a portrait built on a painterly flourish that masks a very definite production in portraiture. It appears less interested in courtly depictions and seems geared toward production outside of the academies. Have you noticed how his status as an artist and author becomes so important? Editor: You're right! It does seem to question traditional depictions. It's not the stiff pose of a noble, but the look is intellectual, the texture alive with its time. Do you see a social commentary on artistic work of the period? Curator: Absolutely. The materiality screams production! And the lack of clear social identifiers points to its challenges, doesn’t it? He is looking up, as if pondering the cost of materials as much as the ideas to paint! Editor: That’s insightful. I hadn't thought about the labor so literally tied to material and consumption within the piece itself. It brings a whole new perspective. Curator: Exactly. And what’s wonderful about examining process, is it invites that very question. Editor: Thank you! I learned so much just looking at process.