1704-1788

A famed portraitist of the French aristocracy, Maurice-Quentin de la Tour’s enduring legacy began when he entered the studio of Jacques Spoede at the age of 15 and, in 1727, emerged with a precise style in pastel that captured his subjects in thoughtful, articulate renderings. His achievements – as documentaries and masterpieces – were exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1737 and remained in favor at court for fifty years. La Tour was granted admission into the Academie de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1746. In addition to sharing his riches through philanthropic art prizes, he bequeathed his works primarily to the Louvre.  His work is also part of the permanent collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Getty Museum.