1789
oil
canvas
From the collection of Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
The Astronomer is a 1789 oil by Nicolas Bernard Lépicié, held at Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.
This painting depicts an older man with white hair, dressed in 18th-century attire, including a green jacket adorned with gold buttons and lace. He is seated at a table, holding a small telescope in his hands. The background of the painting is dark, which helps to accentuate the subject's features. The man's facial expression appears to be one of concentration, as if he is intently studying something through the telescope. His attire suggests that he is a man of some importance or wealth, given the quality of his clothing. The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts of light and dark, adds depth and dimension to the painting. This technique helps to create a sense of volume and texture, making the subject appear more lifelike. If you're interested in learning more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
Nicolas Bernard Lépicié (16 June 1735 – 15 September 1784) was a French painter and teacher of painting, the son of two well-known engravers at the time, François-Bernard Lépicié and Renée-Élisabeth Marlié.
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