Maurice-Quentin de la Tour

This is an outstanding example of one of La Tour's fascinating and rare preparatory studies, in which he focussed on his sitter's expression. The artist commenced studying his portraits with simple monochrome outlines, very abstract and bold, sometimes with the addition of pastel (see the following lot) and then in a second préparation he would add colors, resulting in a more finished work like the present sheet. Generally, these head studies are drawn, as here, against a shaded halo, in this case executed with nuances of blue and gray.

As Neil Jeffares has observed, 'It is trite to comment that these préparations can in some ways be more impressive that the final works..'. The spontaneity and freedom of these head studies, devoid of any other distractions, makes these works both timeless and engaging. La Tour here leaves the sheet at the edges cleverly uncovered, the light falling from the left and highlighting the features of the young face. The penetrating brown eyes are matched by a gentle smile, the tight lips highlighted with vermillion. 

Madame Jean-Robert Dorison (1741-after 1803), the subject of this handsome pastel, was a cousin of La Tour, on his mother's side. Born Charlotte Masse, she married Jean-Robert Dorizon, the son of a tailor. La Tour attended her wedding in 1761, which is the date suggested by Neil Jeffares for the present work.