Gentleman in Pale Blue Coat

Sicardi painted this very pleasing portrait of a gentleman in the late 1770s. In the sitter’s buttonhole on his left breast one can see the red ribbon and the cross of the Order of Saint Louis, both referring to the military merits of the bearer. For this portrait Sicardi chose the same pose and lighting as for the one presented in inv. no. 10649, and the colour scheme and the nuances for the background are fashioned similarly.However, the larger format of the miniature gives the bust more space, which makes for a more open effect. In this portrait Sicardi succeeded again in achieving a great vividness and a vibrant effect by using luminous colours and strong light-dark contrasts.¹

Born in the same year as his fellow artist Mosnier,who worked in Paris at the same time, Sicardi had also been employed at the court of Versailles since the late 1770s² and so one can assume that the two artists knew each other. Their painting methods, though, differ completely: whereas Mosnier favoured a free manner of painting in the style of Hall and set store by striking accents, Sicardi tended to smooth out every detail in such a way that the brushstrokes were completely “negated” in the end. His portraits seem less free and less lively as a result, yet they captivate by their luxurious precision and perfection taken almost to the limit.

B. P.