The Warrior

The Warrior is one of a number of "fantasy" portraits painted by Fragonard around 1770. This figure may be an arrogant warrior from some bygone age or he may be one of the artist's contemporaries in disguise. The features of his face are individualized, but his costume is invented, described in the artist's time as "Spanish in manner." Fragonard seems to have been more interested in demonstrating his brilliant brushwork than in portraying a recognizable individual.

Credit: Acquired by the Clark, 1964