Attributed to Marianne LOIR (Paris 1705-1783 Paris) Portrait of Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry (1721- 1797). Oil on canvas 80 x 63,5 cm. Our portrait of Marianne Loir perfectly illustrates his characteristic style style and his fine psychology: fairly natural pose, neutral background neutral background, a model with a good-natured and warm attitude. Born in Paris on 10 December 1705, she trained with the famous painter Jean-François de Troy at the Académie de France in Rome, Marianne Loir travelled in Italy between 1738 and 1746, accompanying her brother, the pastellist and sculptor Alexis III Loir. On her return to Paris, she distinguished herself by her ability to capture nobility and simplicity in her portraits of the of the bourgeoisie and provincial nobility. Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry, captain and military engineer, is depicted here in bust form, wearing armour and wrapped in a leopard skin leopard skin, a martial symbol of power and distinction. Born in Quebec City, he joined the army at the age of 12 and was one of the most esteemed officers of the time. among the most esteemed officers of the Marquis de Montcalm, commander-in-chief of the French armed forces in New France. His campaign diary, diligently completed between 1749 and 1759 is an invaluable source for understanding the 'War of the Conquest' ( Conquest" ("French and Indian War") led by the British. It was used right up to the tragic battle of the Plains of Abraham (13 September 1759), in which the British were victorious, Québec Montcalm killed and Chaussegros wounded and taken prisoner. Although a captive, he was made a Knight of the Royal and Military Order of the same year. He was freed by the British in 1761 and returned to France, where he remained until 1762-1763. It was almost certainly during this period that he met Marianne Loir and had his portrait painted. In 1753 he married Louise Martel de Brouage (1738-1793) who bore him six children. They were the first Franco-Canadian couple presented to the court of King George III, who publicly praised Madame's beauty. of Madame. Returning to Québec in September 1764, Chaussegros then served civilly: as grand voyer of the district of Québec in 1768, as a legislative councillor in 1775, as a member of the Executive Council in Executive Council in 1784, and Legislative Councillor in 1792. An interesting figure in the history of Lower Canada, an avenue in named after him in 1959. The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec has a 19th-century copy of our painting (inv. century copy of our painting (inv. 1967.106), as well as two portraits of him attributed to Marianne Loir. Loir, depicting him and his wife (inv. 1967.101).