Mademoiselle Pavigne 

Maurice Quentin de La Tour rendered this pastel portrait, Mademoiselle Pavigne. The composition is simple, the head and shoulders centrally placed on a warm, brown ground. The subject's gaze is direct, framed by soft features and a delicate colour palette of pinks and whites, giving a sense of intimacy. La Tour’s mastery lies in his handling of pastel. Note how each stroke builds form, blending to create soft gradations of light and shadow. This softness, however, isn't just aesthetic; it reflects a shift in representation. Unlike the rigid formality of previous portraiture, here is a depiction of a more naturalistic and immediate presence. The artist challenges the traditional notion of portraiture as a symbol of status, and instead engages with emerging ideas around subjectivity. The portrait moves away from a display of social position towards a study of individual character and emotional depth. The artist captures the sitter’s likeness, as well as something of her inner life.