Suzanne-Elisabeth-Françoise de Jarente de La Reynière 1769

This terracotta relief portrait of Suzanne-Elisabeth-Françoise de Jarente de La Reynière, sculpted in 1769 by Jean-Baptiste Nini, is a prime example of Neoclassical portraiture. Nini, a renowned sculptor of the 18th century, captured the subject's elegant features and elaborate hairstyle in meticulous detail, emphasizing her aristocratic status. The round format, common for portrait medallions, provides a sense of intimacy and focus, making the viewer feel as if they are directly facing the subject. Currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this relief serves as a valuable document of 18th-century French portraiture and fashion.