PIERRE-PAUL PRUD'HON (attr. A)

(Cluny, 1758 - Paris, 1823) Portrait of a young man Oil on canvas, 39X34 cm The painting should be placed in the entourage of one of the major protagonists of Neoclassicism in France, Pierre-Paul Prud'hon (Cluny, 1758 - Paris, 1823). The artist had a very well organised studio, where he availed himself of the help of talented collaborators, as the most up-to-date studies have pointed out (see for all Prud'hon ou le reve du bonheur, exhibition catalogue edited by S. Laveissière, Paris 1998). The style of the work is close to the spirit of the master, especially in his works of a mythological nature or those intended for illustration, for which Prud'hon was celebrated for his grace and unmistakable style inspired by Correggio and Leonardo. In this work, the use of sfumato (shading) and very particular contrasts of light and colour give the scene a very special atmosphere of poignant melancholy.