Artwork
Madame de Saint-Maurice
Madame de Saint-Maurice is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joseph Siffred Duplessis. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition features lace, a bow, ribbon, and a ruffled collar that indicate her high social status and the fashionable dress of the Ancien Régime.
The painting depicts Eléonore Elisabeth Angélique de Beauterne, known as Madame de Saint‑Maurice, a French aristocrat. It is an oil on canvas portrait created in 1776 by Joseph Siffred Duplessis. The composition features lace, a bow, ribbon, and a ruffled collar that indicate her high social status and the fashionable dress of the Ancien Régime.
The inclusion of her rounded figure and elaborate adornments may also suggest notions of wealth and domestic virtue. The work is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
The painting is rendered in oil paint on a canvas support, as indicated by its medium and material specifications. Dated to 1776, the work portrays a woman dressed in elaborate lace, a bow, ribbon, and ruffle, with careful attention to the texture and drape of these fabrics. The composition follows the portrait genre, emphasizing the sitter’s attire and pose.
While the sources do not detail the painting’s handling or current condition, the described elements reflect Duplessis’s focus on refined textile representation typical of his portraiture.
History & Provenance
The portrait was executed in 1776 by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, a French painter known for his Rococo‑style portraits. It was created as a likeness of Eléonore Elisabeth Angélique de Beauterne, a member of the French aristocracy, and originally remained in the sitter’s family before entering a private collection. The work eventually became part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings, where it has been displayed since its acquisition.
Documentation indicates the painting is an oil on canvas portrait, measuring approximately 100.3 cm by 81 cm, and is classified within the museum’s portrait genre collection.
The portrait is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is inventoried as 1975.1.197. It was first documented in 1975 following its acquisition by the museum. The painting was included in the exhibition "The Eighteenth-Century Woman" held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1981–1982.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Madame de Saint-Maurice, presents a seated woman in formal attire. Her elaborate light pink gown, adorned with extensive lace and a prominent white bow, is complemented by a pale pink shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hair is styled high and powdered, framing a composed expression. Set against a dark background, the figure is clearly delineated, emphasizing her presence within the frame.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph-Siffred Duplessis (22 September 1725 – 1 April 1802) was a French painter known for the clarity and immediacy of his portraits.
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