Portrait of François Louis Colins 1699–1760, Keeper of the King’s Art Collection - Louis-Michel Van Loo – Captivating Introduction The portrait of François Louis Colins, created by Louis-Michel Van Loo, is an iconic work of the 18th century, a period when portrait painting experienced unprecedented growth. This painting, which captures the very essence of its subject, stands out for its finesse of execution and the psychological depth it conveys. François Louis Colins, responsible for maintaining the king’s artworks, is depicted in a posture that evokes both dignity and approachability. The artist manages to translate not only the physical appearance of his model but also his social status and his role within the court. This work, through its rich iconography and technical mastery, invites an immersion into the aristocratic universe of the 18th century. Style and uniqueness of the work Van Loo’s style is characterized by meticulous attention to detail and a rich, nuanced color palette. In this portrait, the luxurious drapery of Colins’s clothing is rendered with precision that demonstrates great technical skill. The interplay of light and shadow, carefully orchestrated, accentuates the relief of the face and hands, giving the entire piece an almost sculptural dimension. The composition, although classical, presents a certain dynamism thanks to the angle chosen by the artist, which creates a dialogue between the subject and the surrounding space. This portrait does not merely freeze a moment; it tells a story, that of a man in the service of royal art, while revealing the aesthetic values of his time. The artist and his influence Louis-Michel Van Loo, a French-born painter, exerted a major influence on portrait art in the 18th century. Trained in his father’s workshop, he was able to combine traditional techniques with a more personal approach, marked by modern sensitivity. His work is distinguished by a pursuit of psychological truth, a desire to capture the soul of his models. Van Loo was also a key figure in the dissemination of the rococo style, characterized by its elegance and lightness. His impact was not limited to France, as he also worked in