Oil vs. Pastel

[Sharon Knettell]

Maurice Quentin de la Tour did many of the official portraits of the French court in the 18th Century, the Age of Enlightenment and Voltaire. As a matter of fact it was the medium of choice then because of it's sparkling qualities and brillant color which made paintings look dull when they were placed side by side. This was such a problem to the portait painters that painted in oil, the pastellists were banned from the official salon.

Here is a large pastel of Mme. Pompadour, 1.775m x 1.310m.