Monday, November 24, 2014

Lady in hunting dress, French School, late seventeenth or early eighteenth centrury



We don't know the author of this scratched but charming painting. Nor, apparently, do we know the lady. But how delicious she is, with her rouged cheeks and her powdered hair falling loose about her shoulders; maybe she's only just removed her tricorne hat with its bright rosette of ribbon. And then there's her gorgeous, lavishly embroidered silver habit - one can almost feel the weight of it, the heavy swoop of it in movement - livened with the luscious salmon-colored satin of her undersleeves and the fluff of ribbons at her neck. (And by the feet of the excited hound we can also just make out her matching pink shoe.)

How is it possible that we no longer know the name of this glamorous and obviously well-born personage...?



2 comments:

  1. My god I want that fabric so HARD right now.

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  2. There is more detail in that dress than on her face! Pretty amazing

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