Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress 1710 - 1714

Nicolas de Largillière painted this portrait of a boy in fancy dress sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century, using oil on canvas. The artist employed traditional painting techniques to create the illusion of rich fabrics and textures, with close attention to detail. Consider the layers of work involved in producing the boy’s luxurious garments, such as the pink satin cloth draped across his body. The materials speak to the skilled labor required to create the artwork, but also to produce the boy's clothing. The painting's smooth surface belies the time and effort required to grind and mix pigments, prepare the canvas, and apply layer upon layer of paint. The boy's aristocratic status is emphasized by the skilled labor, luxurious fabrics, and fine details of the painting. As viewers, we can appreciate the painting's technical skill and artistic vision, while also reflecting on the historical context in which it was made. The painting thus becomes a window into a world of both artistic achievement, and significant class disparity.