Portrait of Princess Elizabeth Caroline 1754

Jean-Étienne Liotard captured Princess Elizabeth Caroline in pastel, a medium prized for its delicate textures. Pastels are pure pigment bound in a stick form, a technique that became popular in the 18th century. Look closely and you can see the feathery strokes which give the portrait its soft, almost ethereal quality. Liotard was a master of this medium, and the powdery bloom perfectly captures the princess's youth and aristocratic refinement. But pastel wasn't just a pretty medium; it was also relatively quick and convenient. Compared to oil painting, pastel allowed artists to produce portraits more efficiently, catering to the growing demand from a prosperous middle class eager to participate in the culture of display previously reserved for the elite. The rise of pastel is thus tied to broader social shifts, with art becoming more accessible. So, next time you see a pastel portrait, remember that it is not only an image of a person, but also reflects evolving social values and the democratization of art making.