Antoine Pâris
- Artist: Hyacinthe Rigaud
- Date: probably 1724
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Antoine Pâris" by Hyacinthe Rigaud. Painted in the French style of the early 18th century, this portrait showcases the artist's ability to capture the essence of his subjects with elegance and realism.
We see Antoine seated in a library, surrounded by opulent furnishings and lavish decorations. He's clutching blue velvet drapery, turning as though to greet an unseen visitor, and his right hand is positioned in a way that was considered most becoming for eloquent public speech. The fine characterisation of the head is characteristic of Rigaud's work, but it's almost eclipsed by the grandeur of the setting.
The painting was likely created around 1724, two years before Antoine fell from favour and was banished. As Royal Treasurer to Louis XIV, Antoine had amassed a significant fortune, but his period of power was short-lived due to economic difficulties and famine in the French capital.
See it in person
Antoine Pâris hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
