Who painted Louis de Silvestre d. J.?

Louis de Silvestre d. J. was painted by Jean-Baptiste Greuze in 1754.

Where can I see Louis de Silvestre d. J.?

Louis de Silvestre d. J. is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Louis de Silvestre d. J.?

Louis de Silvestre d. J. is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Louis de Silvestre d. J.

Jean-Baptiste Greuze , 1754

Louis de Silvestre d. J. is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Baptiste Greuze. It dates from 1754 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work was shown at the Salon of 1755, reinforcing its role in public recognition of the sitter’s career and reputation.

The painting depicts the French artist Louis de Silvestre (1675–1760), a history and portrait painter who served as director of the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture. Greuze’s portrait presents de Silvestre in a frontal pose, emphasizing his status as a respected figure within the French artistic establishment of the mid-eighteenth century. The restrained composition and dignified presentation underscore de Silvestre’s professional identity rather than personal narrative, aligning with the conventions of official portraiture of the period.

The work was shown at the Salon of 1755, reinforcing its role in public recognition of the sitter’s career and reputation.

History & Provenance

Louis de Silvestre d. J. is held in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, which houses the Bavarian State Painting Collections and continues to display the work as part of its permanent collection. The sources do not record an inventory or accession number for the work. Its exhibition history notes a presentation at the Salon of 1755, the annual official art exhibition in Paris. No further exhibition details are provided in the available material.

Context

Jean-Baptiste Greuze painted Louis de Silvestre d. J. in 1754, a portrait that entered the Bavarian State Painting Collections and was exhibited at the Salon of 1755. The work depicts Louis de Silvestre and measures 73 cm by 60 cm. It is part of the Alte Pinakothek's holdings and reflects the portrait genre within 18th-century French academic painting.

Overview

This portrait, painted by Jean-Baptiste Greuze in 1754, depicts Louis de Silvestre. It is an oil painting characteristic of Greuze's body of work, which includes portraits, genre scenes, and history paintings.

Technique & Style

The painting is executed in the Rococo style, with the subject's face rendered in soft shadows, creating a gentle appearance. The dark background serves to highlight his clothing and facial features.