French School; 18th century.

French School; 18th century.
“Pair of portraits.”
Oil on canvas (x2).
Measurements: 69 x 54 cm (man); 71.5 x 54.5 cm (woman).
A pair of Neoclassical portraits depicting a couple. Both paintings share the same composition, with the model’s bust turned in a three-quarter view against a neutral background and a spotlight directed toward the face, which lends great luminosity to the skin tones of both figures. During the 18th century, the social norms that took root in the Western world throughout this century embodied the ultimate expression of the transformation in taste and mindset of the new clientele—emerging from the nobility and the wealthy upper middle class—who would take the reins of history during this period. While official circles favored other artistic genres, such as history painting, and the burgeoning art-collecting culture encouraged a profusion of genre paintings, portraiture dominated the demand for paintings intended for the most private sphere, reflecting the value placed on the individual in the new society. This genre embodies the enduring presence of its subjects’ images, intended for private enjoyment in the intimacy of a study, in the everyday warmth of a family parlor, or presiding over the main rooms of the home.
As in the rest of Europe, portraiture became the preeminent genre of Spanish painting in the 18th century, as a result of the new social structures that took root in the Western world throughout that century, embodying the ultimate expression of the transformation in taste and mindset of the new clientele, which had emerged among the nobility and the wealthy upper middle class—the very groups that would take the reins of history during this period. While official circles gave prominence to other artistic genres, such as history painting, and the burgeoning art-collecting culture encouraged a profusion of genre paintings, portraiture dominated the demand for paintings intended for the most private sphere, reflecting the value placed on the individual in the new society.