A Glimpse into the World of Pastel: Discover Liotard and The Lavergne Family Breakfast

How are pastels made and used in art? Delve into the strange and magical world of this ethereal medium. We visit the oldest pastel manufacturers in the world, La Maison du Pastel in Paris, and talk to National Gallery curator, Francesca Whitlum-Cooper.
Take a close look at Jeane-Etienne Liotard's exceptional pastel painting 'The Lavergne Family Breakfast' (1754), alongside its oil counterpart, in our free exhibition until 4 March 2024: www.nationalga...
🎨 Find out more about Liotard's 'The Lavergne Family Breakfast': www.nationalga...
🎨 Find out more about Swiss artist Jeane-Etienne Liotard: www.nationalga...
With huge thanks to Isabelle Roché and Margaret Zayer at La Maison du Pastel: www.lamaisondu...
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The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10am - 6pm and on Fridays between 10am - 9pm.
Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
www.nationalga...

[@preranachatterjee2195]

From the blackness of petroleum to finding a life with purpose in colours! - that’s an inspiration that will remain with me forever!

[@mariapilarme]

I painted for a long time with pastel. People think it doesn’t hold but it’s not true. It’s like a chalk with pigment. Very stable.

[@jillyb9995]

Aw wouldn't you just love to work at La Maison du Pastel. Watching the ladies quietly working away and pouring such care into every Pastel stick was very calming and mindful. Do u think they smoke cheroots and headbang to heavy metal in their breaks haha?Liotard's painting is just fabulous. The skill needed to get the shine on the coffee pot and intricate detail on the cups is astounding!❤️

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for this lovely comment! Totally agree, what a dream job they have.

[@victoriabarclay3556]

This was over when I was so engrossed! I could have watched a full length documentary. It is also so meditative. My Mom owns a small still life of a vase with blue flowers that I have always adored. I always stop and look at it for a few minutes. Pastel is fascinating and beautiful

[@timbottavisualart5087]

Thank you to the National Gallery for this fascinating video. I loved seeing the process of how pastel sticks are made. I also appreciated hearing Dr. Whitlum-Cooper's passion for and insights into this beautiful, overlooked medium. I love working in pastels, but as I've researched the medium, I've been somewhat baffled at the scarcity of art-history resources that seem available. Thanks to all involved in making this video for shedding light on pastels--I think you will be sparking a newfound appreciation for the medium!

[@nationalgallery]

Thanks for watching and leaving this kind comment! We've been fascinated to discover more about this very magical medium.

[@RJFord-xs2os]

I will never balk at the price of a handmade pastel again. ♥️

[@DV-dt9sq]

Amazing painting. As an oil painter, I find pastel quite difficult and that is why I am soo astonished and delighted to see such a beauty! Thank you.❤❤❤

[@susanm7925]

Yes. It looks more difficult 2 work with than oil paints....I always thought water color paintings would be harder as well. I am not an artist, but this is what I always speculated.

[@nationalgallery]

It's amazing isn't it - so technically brilliant! And fascinating to compare the oil with the pastel, if you get a chance to come to the exhibition in London.

[@lexgoes1708]

A lovely, delicate and respectful video😂. The work of Isabelle and Margaret at La Maison du pastel cannot be overrated.

[@debbieb-c]

Brilliant explanation! Love the featured piece. Thank you for describing and explaining about the pastels. Now I will be on the lookout for works done in pastels.

[@nationalgallery]

Really glad you enjoyed the video! Hope you enjoy seeing some beautiful pastel paintings soon

[@Aramanth]

Beautiful video and very informative. Thank you for introducing me to the work of Jean-Étienne Liotard! I checked out many of his works and they are breathtaking! 🖼

[@nationalgallery]

So glad we could share this brilliant painter with you! Thank you for your lovely comment.

[@TortugaMapa]

Such a beautiful medium and such a beautiful work these people do.

[@Schubeedoobee]

what a magnificent piece you produced here... quite beautiful.

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you!

[@purkaitsurajit53]

It's such a magnificent pastel work!! Brilliant in finish and texture and surviving so beautifully through the test of time!! This artwork shows a mastery over pastel in a manner that very few other artists would be able to emulate the technical brilliance of Liotard over the medium. Thanks to The National Gallery for bringing to public attention this stupendous work of art for all to experience and admire!!😊😊❤❤

[@kathybost1879]

oh, I so enjoyed this. I know we have some spray sealers for pastel work now, was there anything back then ? Unbelievable work of art. thanks so much

[@paulinemegson8519]

They could use resin like damar, or Gum Arabic in alcohol often diffused from the back. It can also be sprayed from the front but that ran the risk of darkening the colours and causing drips. Some artists didn’t fix at all and relied on pressure to fix the particles.

[@PascaleVanbutsele]

Thank you for your this video. I love working with soft pastels and pastel pencils. The colours are so vibrant and the medium is very versatile. I started with pet portraits and now I do also human portraits or a combination of both.

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching!

[@sacredkinetics.lns.8352]

Such a wonderful painting; awesome technique. Thank you.

[@nationalgallery]

Thanks for watching!

[@hazelnut975]

Loved seeing how these beautiful pastels are created. What a breathtaking work of art the portrait is too,!

[@dandy193]

I paint in Watercolour, Pastel has always been one of those mediums that frightens me because of the delicate nature of it. And I have the utmost admiration for those that know how to use it properly and create beautiful works of art from it.

[@hilohahoma4107]

That was awesome, I always liked pastels and even have some no. The one thing about pastels is that you had better have a good ventilation when using them you do not want to inhale them .

[@andremetayer1467]

So peaceful, I was ready to see all of the palette colors pastel sticks made "just for the pleasure" of my eyes...

[@lynnblack6493]

I remember my first experience with pastels. To see what can be created. I am astounded! And the manufacturing process. Thrilled to see this.

[@debb8152]

Love this. Moving from the painting to the technicalities of the pastels...such pure color. Wow.

[@hotironmom]

This is the second time I've watched this video. Oh, how I wish I'd known of them when I visited Paris. I've been in love with pastels for decades, though I'm not a terribly accomplished painter (more like an enthusiastic beginner). Thank you to the National Gallery for bringing us this lovely video.

[@nelsonx5326]

Daniel Greene, a teacher of mine at the Art Students League of New York City, performed artistic miracles in pastels. I enjoy working with oil pastels.

[@jztouch]

I’ve seen some lovely works in pastel at the Getty Center in LA. I believe they usually have some on display.

[@clacicle]

Reminds me of when I was a child and really enjoyed drawing. Now I want to buy some pencils, pastels, and paper and start again.

[@dada3088]

to think that the artwork is 270 y/o. Truly amazing! the colors are still vibrant. 😍😍 Thank you for this video and sharing such wonderful art piece.. Curious to know (and apologies for the silly question) since paintings in pastel' are such 'fragile and delicate works of art and could potentially fade, do they get professionally restored, like oil paintings? 😊 Thank you!

[@ochervelvet9687]

Pastel does not fade. The paintings are delicate because the support they’re painted on deteriorates. But the pastel itself remains vibrant.

[@owenbarnes773]

bravo - once again the National Gallery makes my year thank you, that was amazing

[@tea_jayy]

What a gorgeous, gorgeous documentary! I work in acrylic, but have dabbled in oil pastel. I could never begin to achieve the level of finesse and polish as in that painting! I hope to see it in person one day. And the art of pastel making is fascinating! The contentment and fulfillment of those artisans wafted from my screen like a warm spring breeze. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

this is a great documentary and thank you for sharing it with the world

[@michaelmcdonnell5998]

Thank you for this delightful film.

[@djr3386]

Full marks to director, editor, script writer and sound engineer of this video. This was beautifully presented 👏🏽👏🏽 👏🏽. Thank you The National Gallery. 🙏🏽 ("*Dr. Francesca Whitlum-Cooper" correction needed in the description of this video)

[@nationalgallery]

Thanks! This lovely film was made in collaboration with the Gallery by JAM+POST!

[@stevebarlow3154]

Pastel is a challenging medium, so Liotard's technical brilliance is shown by this painting, which with its fine detail, appears to be an oil painting. A contemporary of Liotard, who also worked in pastels, was Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin. Who towards the end of his life produced three great pastel paintings, one a portrait of his wife and two self portraits. The self portraits are amongst the finest self portraits ever painted. The three works by Chardin are hanging in the Louvre, Paris.

[@jaydeeppawar4084]

Do what you feel is right and do it with utmost quality - beautiful words.

[@mellow5123]

I'd like to see a piece just on the pastel making process. Also in this one showing exampls of how the artist got such fine detail in pastel would have added so much.

[@user-hz8uc9iu8c]

thank you. absolutely marvellous and wonderful.

[@misolowy3929]

Miraculous video, thank you.

[@artofescapism]

Very interesting! Glad to learn about this craft, and about others' passion for it! Thank you for the video!

[@gloriatyller4554]

Oh this is lovely!

[@themarquis336]

Absolutely brilliant video.

[@M.O.1981]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@susanm7925]

Since they are rare, is it because not many artists made pastel paintings or was this medium hard 2 perserve (drying/fading)? Also were there more french painters than any other nationalities and was there a time period where pastel paintings were more common? Thank u. This was very interesting & informative.

[@atakoranodonbrachiosaurus1209]

Expensive but watching the craft that goes into it makes me think otherwise. Maybe I'll gift myself a set when I'm finished with my current project. Lovely video!

[@nicoledotfan]

This was such a calming, wonderful, and insightful video - thank you National Gallery ❤

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching, Nicole! ❤️

[@eldraque4556]

Beautiful

[@ericswain4177]

As an Art Collector, while I can appreciate Pastel works of art I feel that the discrepancy in Pastels versus Oil Paintings Etc... is that Pastels are so fragile and notoriously hard to work with and that they don't stand the test of time as oils do, correct me if I am wrong but there are predominately more artworks produced in oils and in acrylics today than just about any other medium.

[@robertafierro5592]

I saw this years ago! Brilliant!

[@user-ki9il5yc2o]

Stunning film

[@Alexander-rq9he]

I remember seeing Jean-Étienne Liotard’s "Portrait of Maria Frederike van Reede-Athlone at Seven Years of Age” in California. It was truly breathtaking and appeared to be as fresh and as vibrant as the day he finished it.

[@JBaxter-pi8oj]

What beautiful work! The ladies at La Maison du Pastel are incredible. The care and patience and knowledge, both intuitive and academic, is wonderful. And it was such a calming experience to watch this. That beautiful pastel painting was just so lifelike. It's a wonder that it has survived for as long as it has. Thank you to the National Gallery curator, Francesca Whitlum-Cooper, for drawing attention to this underrated medium. And thank you, for making this short film.

[@Dstonephoto]

The cinematography and production of this documentary is stunning. Bravo to the video team. Next. Level. Sh*t. 🔥

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you. Big shout out to JAM+POST our filmmakers on this project!

[@user-wk1mw9nj3i76]

I love 18C French pastel portraits! I enjoyed the introduction to the makers, but I wish more time was spent on the pastel painting, the artist and the family portrayed. I want to learn more, but as I live in the US Midwest, I will not be able to see this in person.

[@anix2457]

Simply beautiful.

[@lizzieatherfold2293]

I think the pastel work is so delicate and we are so lucky that they have survived

[@nationalgallery]

Absolutely!

[@sabbyd1832]

I know this painting but did not recognize its name. Pastel is an amazing and extraordinary medium. Thanks, I enjoyed this very much

[@DanielWSonntag]

Beautiful video!

[@philipmurphy2]

Such a wonderful painting, Thanks

[@earth2jennyl]

Such a gorgeous video. Thank you!

[@nationalgallery]

Thanks for your lovely comment :)

[@imaxdigital7052]

When you look at the two views of the Lavergne Family Breakfast, it's very clear why oil is the more popular medium. Something about the pastel is really interesting though. There's no muddiness to them.

[@Aluenvey]

Thanks to this, I found a recipe for homemade pastels. Wanting a specific palette.

[@martijnkeisers5900]

Mesmerizing.

[@darthlaurel]

Very interesting.

[@katbow5922]

I have always wanted to be able to create with pastels, or even pencil. Simply not a talent I was gifted. I enjoyed this short immensely. Thankyou

[@muchasgracias6976]

Perfection in pastel.

[@will8026]

If you have never seen Eugene Boudin's or Jongkind's delightful pastel landscape and seascape studies done plein air, do seek them out as a treat for your eyes.

[@petergarayt9634]

Gorgeous video, thank you.

[@nationalgallery]

Glad you enjoyed it, Peter!

[@christopherevans4743]

I am related to the master pastel artist Bob Richardson , it is a beautiful medium. I prefer the vividness of acrylic for my work.

[@sjain8111]

💙colors! 🔴🟠🟡🔵🟣

[@nationalgallery]

😍

[@Roscn-dn36]

What are the white things on the girls hair?

[@nationalgallery]

Paper curlers!

[@lazygardens]

@@nationalgallery I have never seen them depicted!

[@unfoldvenice]

Love it ❤

[@Norfolk250]

I cannot imagine how that piece was done... seems impossible. Also, that it is as old as it is.

[@nationalgallery]

Totally!

[@katharsis5601]

Why did the music make me cry 😭

[@luluandmeow]

You can buy the print from the NG shop, just ordered mine

[@nationalgallery]

Yes you can! shop.nationalgallery.org.uk/the-lavergne-family-breakfast-print-ng6685.html

[@willowsworld111]

I am wondering why there are two paintings of “Breakfast…” In the NG? Is it a lithograph? Ty in advance. The video is beautiful. I watched it twice back to back. 👧🏻🩵. Beautifully made. Thank you.

[@nationalgallery]

Hi Willow, we have reunited two versions of Liotard's 'The Lavergne Family Breakfast' for this exhibition, one that was made with pastels and one that was made with oil paints. The pastel version is from our collection and the oil version is from a private collection. These two paintings are being shown together for the first time in 250 years. You can find out more about the exhibition here: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/discover-liotard-and-the-lavergne-family

[@FMFvideos]

Pastel com guaraná é muito bom!

[@silverleafmaple]

❤❤❤

[@artistnumber12]

❤

[@TempleOfTheMartyrs]

WE USED A PASTEL DRAWING FOR OUR NEW ALBUM COVER

[@tinderbox218]

Are there two versions of the picture? I see two in different frames.

[@nationalgallery]

Yes there is! Liotard created his pastel version of 'The Lavergne Family Breakfast' and then, 20 years afterwards, he created an exact replica in oil. At 02:10 you can see the oil version on the left and the pastel version on the right.

[@gordmacdonald9711]

I tried making a red oxide pastel (once). At the end of my mess, I looked like I got a sunburn on Mars...... I'll let pros do it.

[@user-uv9zr8qs2c]

They are hard to use... very dusty and bad for the lungs... and if you want to draw smaller drawings you cant add any detail what so ever... some, me included hate this medium for a reason...

[@kelsey-prudhomme]

Your subtitles are shockingly bad. Especially for such a large institution, this is unacceptable. I can't even watch this.

[@nationalgallery]

Hi Kelsey, we're sorry to hear you're having trouble with our subtitles. We publish our own for all of our KZbin videos and these are showing for this video. Please do check that you aren't seeing the automated subtitles, generated by KZbin, as these will be incorrect. Thanks

[@estherrosa4997]

❤