Jean-Marc Nattier: The Painter of Courtly Grace Jean-Marc Nattier, a name perhaps less familiar than those of his Rococo contemporaries, stands as a pivotal figure in the history of French art. Born in Paris in 1685, he wasn’t destined for the grand stage of the Academy in Rome, yet through meticulous observation and an uncanny ability to capture the essence of aristocratic life, Nattier became *the* painter of Louis XV's court. His legacy isn’t one of dramatic historical scenes or sweeping landscapes; rather, it resides in his exquisitely rendered portraits – a delicate dance of elegance, m…