The cellist 

Maurice Quentin de La Tour captured this unidentified sitter with pastel on paper. The subject’s gaze meets ours directly, demanding our attention. Observe how La Tour employed soft, diffused light to model the face, contrasting with the darker background to create a sense of depth. Notice the subject’s tilted head, a slight asymmetry in his expression. These elements combine to animate the portrait, lending it an almost theatrical quality. The subject’s smile is genuine, his eyes shine with life. La Tour’s mastery lies in his ability to capture a fleeting moment, to convey not just the likeness but the very essence of his sitter. The artist pushes at the boundaries of formal portraiture, inviting us to consider the human element beyond mere representation. What story does the expression on the subject’s face tell?