Best known for his superlative pastels, Liotard mastered every medium to which he turned his hand. In his day he was one of Europe’s most sought-after portraitists, commanding staggering prices and a loyal, international clientele. Liotard painted many celebrated society figures and royals, amongst them Marie Antoinette, George III and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Yet he was equally concerned to present his prosperous middle class sitters with an unwavering attention to life, free of flattery. From delicate lace and silks to turbans and furs, Liotard’s depictions of textiles reveal his astonishing command of detail and texture. His work is a superb record of the fashions of his age. (https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/jean-etienne-liotard)