Nattier was one of the leading portrait painters of the reign of Louis XV. He became a member of the Academy in 1718 and established a reputation for his portraits of women. Best known are his representations of the daughters of Louis XV, to whom he was official painter. His son-in-law, Louis Tocqué, perpetuated his style.
Nattier was born in Paris and trained by his father and probably by his godfather, Jean Jouvenet. In his early years he was occupied with the preparation of engravings and assisted his father and brother with the plates for the Marie de Médici cycle by Rubens in the Luxembourg Palace.
Jean-Marc Nattier
1685 - 1766
Paintings by Jean-Marc Nattier
Maria Maddalena Balletti, known as Manon Balletti, was the daughter of Antonio Giuseppe Balletti, an actor in the Comédie Italienne. Her brother Stefano, also an actor, was friends with the Venetian adventurer and author Giacomo Casanova, who declared his love for Manon. She broke off her existin...
We do not know the identity of this elegant young man in armour. Neither the wig nor the costume allows us to date the portrait precisely. He turns to look at us, as though glancing back for a moment, his lips slightly parted and his eyes directly meeting ours. The medal decorating his armour is...
Not on display