Jean Marc Nattier (1685–1766) 1716 - 1772

This portrait of Jean Marc Nattier, created by Louis Tocqué, is rendered in delicate pastel on paper. Pastel is an interesting material, really just pure pigment mixed with a binder, and pressed into stick form. Look closely and you can see the feathery strokes of the pastel across the surface. Notice how the artist has built up layers of color to create subtle variations in skin tone and texture in the sitter’s wig. Pastel lends itself to a softness of line and form, and that is certainly on display here. Pastel was very popular in the 18th century for portraiture as it allowed for a quick and relatively inexpensive way to capture a likeness. It’s no accident that Nattier is shown holding a pastel stick, it was an important part of his identity as an artist. Thinking about materials, making, and context helps us to understand this portrait not just as a representation of an individual, but as a product of its time.