Portrait of a Woman 1750

Jean-Étienne Liotard, a painter from 18th-century Switzerland, made this ‘Portrait of a Woman’ with pastels.   During the 1700s, portraiture was the domain of the upper classes, reinforcing social hierarchies. Here, the sitter’s identity is concealed, yet her status is clearly elevated through the finery of her dress. She maintains the traditional representation of women as objects of beauty. Red accents are visible on her cheeks, lips, and the small bows that adorn her hair and dress, drawing attention to her status and physical presentation. The fur stole around her shoulders hints at opulence, but it also suggests an emotional distance, creating a barrier between the sitter and the viewer. Liotard was known for his portraits of European royalty, spending time in places like Paris, London, and Vienna. These locations were centers of power and influence. Liotard's portrait encapsulates the complex interplay between identity, status, and the gaze, capturing a moment frozen in time, forever inviting us to contemplate the woman behind the portrait.