The artwork titled “Portrait of M Pater,” painted by Antoine Watteau around 1716, is an oil on canvas creation representative of the Rococo art movement. This portrait genre painting is currently housed at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes in Valenciennes, France.
The artwork depicts a man with a distinctive appearance, characterized by his elaborate attire and prominent wig, which were fashionable during the early 18th century. His attire is rendered in warm, rich tones, contrasting with the subtle, muted background. The subject’s gaze is direct and contemplative, capturing a lifelike intensity typical of Watteau’s portraiture. The softness of the brushwork, especially in rendering the textures of the hair and fabric, is exemplary of the Rococo style’s emphasis on lightness and elegance. The composition is balanced, with the figure placed slightly off-center, enhancing the sense of depth and realism.
