Such a pose! Head turned to one side, his eyes averted to the other, and a slight slouched belly showing under his brown coat and brilliant red vest, we know he's early - c.1740-50s, and I've always thought him to be perhaps a banker. Just something about the look of him. Or a shrewd businessman in his time. We have no way to know who he was nor what his profession. He leaves us only a glance. Would that he could tell us of his time, of King Louis XIV, XV, and perhaps the young King Louis XVI if he lived long enough to see that. The painting is wonderful, but unsigned.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, the thin natural wafer has been adhered to a card backing, perhaps it was reframed at some point in the nearly 300 years since painted. Slightly convex cover glass and a heavy old French dore Bronze bow top frame have protected him very well. Measurements are all noted on the photos.
