Nicolas de Largillière (October 10, 1656 – March 20, 1746)

                                                                                                             

Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Rousseau

1710

There is a perception that the Rococo period was an overly-extravagant era of Art, but that doesn't quite stand up to certain examples, such as de Largillière. In many of his pieces, though not all, there is an evident restraint that, while maintaining a Rococo-ish style, created a much less idealized and sharper overall work than would commonly be supposed a Rococo piece.  There is often an attack on the Rococo art, much like a large swathe of Academic art, is often attacked as inferior. But I can't understand the arguments against these works, unless one is to say that skill and novelty aren't important if there is some detection of perceived sentimentality. Then again, this is starting to seem like a personal gripe. 

Family Portrait

c. 1710

Philip of Orleans, Regent of France

1715 

A Young Man with His Tutor

1685

Portrait of Elisabeth-Marguerite, the Artist's Daughter

The Countess of Montsoreau and Her Sister as Diana and an Attendant

1714

Portrait of a Man in a Purple Robe

c. 1700

La Belle Strasbourgeoise

1703