Portrait of a Man

Boilly, early in his career, painted works depicting people in sentimental, mischievous, or sensual situations. In 1794, one of his erotic images elicited accusations of obscenity and he faced the possibility of prison. In the wake of this, he switched to portraiture, becoming known for the rapidity with which he painted, while maintaining detail in both facial expression and costume. He created some 4,500 small portraits, having boasted that they were painted “during a sitting of two hours.”

While the gentleman depicted here has not been identified, he was certainly honored for his military achievements; the central medal is the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest award.