Lair Jean Louis – Portrait Of A Man Of Quality – Oil On Canvas – Signed And Dated 1820

Superb portrait of a man, in neoclassical style. The portrait is placed on a neutral dark brown background. The lively eyes, the colorful complexion, the half-open mouth, the abundant hair, illuminate the canvas. The man wears the black frock coat and the knotted tie required at the time.
The work is signed "L LAIR" (for Louis Lair) and dated 1820 at the bottom right, in the dark part (see photo, greatly lightened). It is in very good condition, with invisible old retouching and restoration on the front (restoration visible on the back).
The work is placed in a 19th century gilded wooden frame, gilded with leaf, without loss.

The artist
Jean Louis César LAIR was born in 1781 in Janville, in Eure-et-Loir. He died there in 1828. He belonged to the neoclassical movement, which dominated French art at the beginning of the 19th century.
He enjoyed real fame during his lifetime, painting several portraits of men, mythological and religious scenes. He notably painted a Descent from the Cross which is in the Uzès Cathedral. In addition, King Louis XVIII commissioned a portrait from him, currently in the Palais de Justice in Caen. Religious dignitaries also commissioned their portraits from him.
Several of Lair's works are among the national collections. A few others have been the subject of public sales.

Work visible at the gallery (07240). ​​​​​​​
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