Att. To Dumont Le Romain (1701-1781) Portrait Of A Man In Armor

Attributed to Jacques DUMONT aka DUMONT LE ROMAIN
(Paris 1701 - 1781)
Presumed portrait of Louis-Joseph de Formanoir (?-1732)
Oil on canvas
H. 91.5 cm; L. 73 cm
Signed on the helmet: "pinxit - Dumont"

Jacques Dumont was probably initiated into painting in the studio of his brother, François Dumont. He left very young for Italy and lived with the painter Servandoni (1695-1766) in Rome, with whom he established a lasting friendship. Dumont did not return to Paris until 1725, practicing engraving and painting before being admitted to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in 1728 with Hercule and Omphale (musée des beaux-arts de Tours). From then on, he met with growing success and collaborated on many projects, notably with Nicolas Coypel (1690-1734) for the History of Saint François de Paule aux Chartreux. From 1731 to 1755, Dumont produced tapestry cartoons for the Manufacture d'Aubusson. In 1736, he was appointed professor at the Academy and then, in 1748, headed the new school of Protected Students. Dumont will however return to the Academy where he will become rector, chancellor, then director.

Portrait of Louis Joseph de Formanoir, Lord of Saint-Mars and Blainvilliers, having married in 1715 Geneviève Raymonde Breget. Himself nephew and partly heir of Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars, thanks to whom his military career was able to evolve, until receiving the distinction of Knight of the Military Order of Saint-Louis. This man in armor, white wig, white gloves in his left hand, bare right hand resting on his helmet, wearing the Order of Saint Louis attached to the cuirass is, according to family tradition, the portrait of Louis Joseph de Formanoir. The nocturnal background allows us to distinguish a city on fire in the background, in which we notice an obelisk and a triumphal arch. Was this great fire related to the life of Louis-Joseph de Formanoir? An exemplary battle? No doubt, but the life of our character being too little known the question remains unanswered.