Here is the link, in case the picture doesn't translate well: https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/449101648_10161583695858769_4851068321055628318_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=lZRuLtdEkjcQ7kNvgHpUCwv&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AYD4WbvBCT4FXMtqkEIjUYgMWKn2gBIgrG0_aYES2ccfmg&oe=66849B69
because I love this picture. Notice that his collar is askew. Why? I guess to show that the man wasn't perfect, or that this isn't a strict formal picture, or to portray naturalness. What's your guess?
Next, does the face have a smile? It's just enough of a smile to give the viewer a glimpse of the personality of the man.
Note his hands. I think they portray a relaxed, casual attitude.
Now the background, what do you think--a monastery, a church, rabble?
The top right show two people. Since this portrait is of a man belonging to a religious order, called Order of Preachers, the two people, actually three, show the various stages of the Order of Preachers' formation. The man with the tonsure is either a Postulant or Novice. The one with the black hood is wearing the exact same cloak as our subject, only he has his hood up. So, the artist wanted to showcase the Order of Preachers. I bet the artist was a member of this Order.
Addendum: The Order of Preachers is colloquially known as "Dominicans," because their founder was St. Dominic.
This is a portrait of Father Henri Jean-Baptiste Lacordaire, OP. He lived during the French Revolution, which banned religion. Father Lacordaire is credited (at least by Dominicans) with keeping France Christian during the French Revolution. If the background does portray the rabble of a church, then the portrait is portraying Lacordaire as working to fix the church.
What I also find interesting, is that Lacordaire never wanted a portrait of himself. It is said, he had one done once--as he was seated at his desk, working. Therefore, this portrait is imagination. Thinking about this, that would explain the background--imagination.
Well done.
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