A portrait rendered in 1731 by the engraver Langlois captured the likeness of Voltaire, providing the earliest evidence of the work of Maurice Quentin de La Tour. This French artist became a central figure in the Rococo movement, specializing in delicate pastel compositions that gained him admission to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture.
Early Career and Training
Born in 1704 in Saint-Quentin, Maurice Quentin de La Tour was the son of François de La Tour. By the age of nineteen, he had moved to Paris to pursue painting professionally. An apprenticeship under a painter named Dupouch began in October 1719, though the duration of this training remains unclear. Following a brief period in England in 1725, he returned to the French capital to establish his practice.
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De La Tour gained prominence in 1737 at the Paris Salon with his self-portrait, L'Auteur qui rit. This work initiated a prolific series of 150 portraits that would anchor his reputation for over three decades. His technical mastery of pastel earned him court recognition, and by 1745, he resided in an apartment located within the Palais du Louvre, serving as a court painter.
Artistic Style and Philanthropy
His work was characterized by a distinct capacity to capture intelligence and charm. As his professional success grew, he engaged in significant philanthropic efforts, founding a drawing school in Saint-Quentin. He also provided financial support for impoverished women and aging artisans, while serving as a benefactor to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and the Academy of Sciences and Belles Lettres of Amiens.
Final Years and Legacy
In his later years, de La Tour suffered from an encroaching mental illness that limited his activity. He returned to Saint-Quentin at the age of 80 to live under the care of his brother, Jean-François de La Tour. He died intestate in 1788 and was interred at the Basilica of Saint-Quentin. His influence persisted long after his death, most notably appearing on 50-franc banknotes issued between 1976 and 1992.
Fast facts
- Born: 1704, Saint-Quentin
- Died: 1788, Saint-Quentin
- Primary Medium: Pastel
- Movement: Rococo
- Positions held: Court painter
- Notable Works: Portrait of Voltaire, Portrait of Pierre-Louis Laideguive
- Burial Site: Basilica of Saint-Quentin
Questions readers ask
What medium was Maurice Quentin de La Tour known for?
He specialized in pastel painting, a medium he utilized for his extensive series of portrait commissions.
Did he have formal academic connections?
Yes, he was officially recognized by the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in 1737 and served as an advisor and benefactor to the institution.
Achievements
- Notable work: Portrait of Voltaire
- Notable work: Portrait of Pierre-Louis Laideguive
- Movement: Rococo
