Portrait of a Woman
1748
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1748
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
A woman in a pale blue gown looks over her shoulder at you. Pearls loop her neck and wrists, and her powdered hair is piled high with tiny flowers. Nattier painted many noblewomen who wanted to look like goddesses. He softened their features and gave them dreamy expressions. This woman’s identity is lost—she might be a princess or a merchant’s wife. The flowers in her hair suggest spring, but the rest feels timeless. If you like this quiet elegance, look up more portraits from France, 18th century.
