Artwork
Portrait of Anne Louis Goislard de Montsabert, Comte de Richbourg-le-Toureil

Portrait of Anne Louis Goislard de Montsabert, Comte de Richbourg-le-Toureil is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Nicolas de Largillière. It dates from 1734 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in France, the piece exemplifies the formal portraiture genre typical of the artist's late career.
Executed in 1734 by Nicolas de Largillière, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures approximately 80.6 by 63.8 centimetres. Created in France, the piece exemplifies the formal portraiture genre typical of the artist's late career.
While specific details regarding the artist's brushwork, surface condition, or precise handling of light are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the identification of the medium and support confirms the traditional materials used by Largillière for aristocratic commissions during this period. The composition focuses on the depiction of Anne Louis Goislard de Montsabert, Comte de Richbourg-le-Toureil, adhering to the conventions of French eighteenth-century portraiture.
History & Provenance
Nicolas de Largillière executed this oil-on-canvas portrait in 1734 in France, depicting Anne Louis Goislard de Montsabert, Comte de Richbourg-le-Toureil. Its ownership history includes Charles Fairfax Murray, the Galerie Cailleux, and the Detroit Institute of Arts, followed by Calouste Gulbenkian and Eugene Thaw, before it entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1970.31. No exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Legacy
The portrait exemplifies Largillière's mature portraiture, blending Baroque vigour with Rococo elegance, and is held in the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its provenance through distinguished owners such as Eugene Thaw and Calouste Gulbenkian underscores its recognized significance within French art history. Scholars reference the work when examining the development of 18th-century portrait conventions, reflecting its standing as a representative piece of the period.
Overview
This oil painting, created in 1734 by French artist Nicolas de Largillière, depicts Anne Louis Goislard de Montsabert, a nobleman holding the title Comte de Richbourg-le-Toureil. The work exemplifies the Rococo aesthetic, characterized by its refined elegance and attention to detail. Largillière, a prominent figure in the French art world, captured the sitter's dignified presence, making this a notable example of 18th-century portraiture. It is currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Anne Louis Goislard de Montsabert, Comte de Richbourg-le-Toureil, a figure of the French aristocracy. He is shown with a composed yet serious demeanor, his hands gently folded, suggesting a sense of quiet authority and self-possession. The formal pose and rich attire, particularly the vibrant red robe, underscore his social standing and the prestige associated with his noble title during the period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas de Largillière (French:; baptised 10 October 1656 – 20 March 1746) was a French painter and draughtsman. From 1733 until 1735, he was director of the Académie de Peinture et de Sculpture.

















