Early 18th Century Portrait Of A Boy In Classic Costume - Attributed To Charles d'Agar.

Refined and very decorative portrait of a handsome aristocrat painted in the oval salon around 1710 and attributed to Charles D'agar (1669-1723). The fresh-faced young model wears a theatrical version of ancient Roman military attire in shimmering silk. This useful sartorial convention helped create an air of timelessness in an era when fashions changed rapidly, which often left portraits and the models within, decidedly outmoded.

His brightly colored robes of red and blue sparkle and their splendid gold “mask” detail echoes the three-dimensional decoration (often fierce animals or mythological figures) of the original metal Roman lorica. This beautiful portrait is in an excellent state of preservation and is ready to hang and enjoy in its original carved and gilded "Lely" style frame.

Charles D'Agar (1669-1723)
D'Agar was born in Paris, son of the painter Jacques (Jacob) D'Agar and his wife Marie Picard, the Protestant family immigrated to London between 1678 and 1681, when Jacques was officially expelled from the French Academy for religious reasons. His artistic style is often compared to that of Michael Dahl and Sir Godrey Kneller, the former particularly for his choice of colors for the models' clothing. Both father and son worked in London painting famous figures such as Charles II's French mistress, Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth. Charles was apprenticed to the painter Robert Robinson and soon after traveled to Copenhagen with his father where he stayed for six years. His father remained a painter at the Danish court, but Charles returned to London in 1691 where he established a successful portrait practice working for a broad but especially aristocratic patronage. He left a widow Susannah and a son who was also a painter, possibly named David. In 1707 he asked for £7.

High resolution images on request.
Worldwide shipping available

Canvas: 29" x 25" / 74cm x 64cm.
Frame: 37" x 32" / 95cm x 74cm