Portrait de Suzanne de Boubers de Bernâtre, épouse de Balthasar Keller

Rigaud employs a refined, smooth brushwork that renders the skin with a luminous quality, while deeper shadows model the facial features. The composition relies on strong chiaroscuro: a dark, draped backdrop contrasts with the bright colors of the clothing, directing attention to the sitter’s face.

Painted during Rigaud’s mature period, the portrait remained in private collections before entering the Kunsthaus Zürich’s inventory. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on French Baroque portraiture and the artist’s reputation for documenting the French elite.

Rigaud was a leading portraitist of the French aristocracy in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, known for his polished representations of courtly figures. This painting exemplifies his ability to combine formal attire, symbolic objects, and dramatic lighting to convey status and individuality.