Portrait of an Architect
by RESTOUT, Jean II, Oil on canvas, oval, 57 x 46 cm
This portrait of an architect (probably a pensionnaire at the Academy in Rome) was painted in Rome when Restout was in his last year as a pensionnaire at the Royal Academy. The occupation of the sitter is indicated by the traditional instruments associated with that profession. Restout’s vigorous handling of this subject, particularly evident in the face and hands, may be compared with Fragonard’s style in his famous fantasy portraits, admired by his contemporaries for their spontaneity.