Maurice Quentin de La Tour was a French painter who worked primarily with pastels in the Rococo style. Born on September 5, 1704, in Saint-Quentin, France, he is known for his portraits of famous subjects such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Louis XV, and Madame de Pompadour. De La Tour's work can be found in various museums, including the Musée du Louvre in Paris.

Early Life and Career

De La Tour was the third son of a musician, François de La Tour. Little is known about his background until he went to Paris at the age of 19, where he began working as a portraitist in pastels. His earliest known portrait was of Voltaire, which was engraved by Langlois in 1731. De La Tour's work was recognized by the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in 1737, and he soon attracted the attention of the French court.

Artistic Style and Notable Works

De La Tour's portraits are characterized by their delicate and sure touch with the pastel medium, rendering a pleasing softness to his subjects' features. Some of his notable works include Portrait of Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV, and Self-Portrait, Laughing. These paintings can be found on WahooArt.com, where you can also order canvas prints or oil-painted replicas.

Philanthropy and Legacy

As de La Tour's wealth increased from his commissions, he became a philanthropist, founding a school for drawing in his native Saint-Quentin and donating to impoverished women and disabled artists. He was also an advisor and benefactor to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Paris and the Academy of Sciences and Belles Lettres of Amiens. De La Tour's legacy can be explored further on Wikipedia, where you can find more information about his life and work.

• Pastel portraits of famous subjects such as Voltaire and Madame de Pompadour
• Rococo style characterized by delicate and sure touch with the pastel medium
• Philanthropic efforts including founding a school for drawing and donating to impoverished women and artists

De La Tour's work can be found in various museums, including the Musée du Louvre, where you can see his Portrait of Madame de Pompadour and other notable works. You can also explore his art on WahooArt.com, where you can order canvas prints or oil-painted replicas of his paintings.