Title: Portrait of Colonel David La Touche of Marcey with the Amphitheatre of Taormina and Etna Behind

Artist: Tonelli, Anna Nistri (fl.1794-97)

It became quite trendy during the 18th century to commission portraits depicting the subject against an ancient backdrop. Here the Colonel is painted with an Amphitheater in the background.

La Touche looks quite young in this painting - probably finished before his appointment as Colonel. He is relaxing against what appears to be a large box made of wood - perhaps an outdoor prop of some kind. Regardless, the wooden box is key to his pose - informal. Because this is not a formal portrait we can infer many things.

First, La Touche is quite wealthy. People with only a few pounds to spare on a painting would have a traditional, somber painting done.

Second, during his Grand Tour he appears quite content, at home with the surroundings. The fact that his is painted with a ruin in the back might mean to suggest his familiarity with history.

Third, La Touche is carrying a walking stick that does not look that sturdy. From this artifact we can assume that La Touche did little hiking - probably as little physical exertion as possible during his Grand Tour.