Simon Bernard Lenoir

Signed and dated 1762, this is a sophisticated and elegant portrait of a gentleman in blue, by Simon-Bernard Lenoir. 

Of the artist's particular traits in this medium, Neil Jeffares remarks that 'typically he employs clear contours such as distinctive light blues; his flesh is usually fully blended, achieving a polished surface, compressing the pastel onto the paper. A small number of visible strokes are then added for final effect in the manner of La Tour. Highlights on fabric are distinctive....'¹

Lenoir's family, originally from Lorraine, had numerous artistic connections.  He was named 'peintre de portrait du prince de Conde' in 1779, his name appearing in the accounts at Chantilly. He portrayed an array of sitters; members of the aristocracy, those affiliated with the world of theatre and the intellectual bourgeoisie. (For a full discussion of Lenoir, see Neil Jeffares' entry for the artist in his Dictionary of pastellists, online edition).

1. N. Jeffares, online edition, op.cit., under Simon-Bernard Lenoir, Essay, p. 2