Portrait of a Lady 1778 - 1782

Jean-Honoré Fragonard likely created this portrait using oil paints on canvas. The loose brushwork gives a sense of immediacy, but don't be fooled. Painting like this demands control. Look closely, and you’ll see how Fragonard built up the image in layers, achieving the sitter’s likeness through careful manipulation of light and shadow. This wasn’t just about representation, it was a performance, demanding both artisanal skill and keen aesthetic judgment. Consider the context: fashionable portraiture was lucrative in 18th century France, but it also placed painters in the service of aristocratic taste. The sitter’s elaborate costume and towering hat speaks volumes about the fashion of the time, and the labor needed to produce them. By understanding the material and social conditions of its creation, we can fully appreciate Fragonard's artistry, and see beyond the surface of the image.