Jean-Claude Richard, Abbot of Saint-Non, Dressed 'a l'Espagnole'

The knight, with his arrogant pose, is sitting beside a fountain in which his horse is drinking. He is dressed à l'espagnole, an expression which in eighteenth-century France was used to refer to picturesque or fancy attire, and had no bearing on the Spanish fashions of the time. In fact, dress a l'espagnole was inspired by French fashions from the time of Henry IV and Louis XIII. The picture is a work from the artist's youth, painted on a trip he made to Italy with his friend and patron Jean-Claude Richard. Fragonard was one of the last representatives of rococo art and this work shows his most characteristic style: touches of light material known as 'virtuosity of speed'.