This 18th century painter believed that portraiture could rise above its traditional status as mere ‘face-painting’ by making reference to the great art of the past.

Until he began to get official recognition in his mid-forties, this French artist lived on a small allowance from his parents, who fondly regarded him as a talentless amateur.

Answers here~ https://schristywolfe.com/2015/07/16/july-16/