early life and artistic journey pierre frédéric de la croix, a french artist born in 1709, defied the conventions of his time by mastering the art of pastel portraiture despite being deaf and mute. his life's work is a testament to his perseverance and innate talent. de la croix moved to the hague, where he joined the confrerie pictura in 1753, marking a significant milestone in his career. his daughter, susanna, married the renowned…