Portrait of an Aristocrat in Uniform

This is one of Ducreux's more subtle formal portraits, lacking the jaunty attitude of his self-portaits. Assumed to be the portrait a major in the fourth battalion of the Chasseurs des Cevennes, Ducreux's portraits always betray something of the character of the sitter — in this case, a hint of arrogance or disdain. Or perhaps this aristocrat is simply trying to ignore a bad smell.