Madame Keller c. 18th century

Curator: This is "Madame Keller," a portrait by Pierre Drevet, born in 1663, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It captures a moment of poised elegance. Editor: It’s funny; I immediately thought of a porcelain doll, maybe a little too perfect, yet the draping fabric is so luscious it’s hard to dismiss. Curator: Aristocratic identity was often constructed through these meticulously crafted images. Drevet uses the print medium to circulate and solidify Madame Keller's status. Editor: Right, the dress and the flowers feel less about her, the person, and more about the performance of wealth, even the flowers. And a performance of her husband's military title. Curator: Indeed. The portrait functions as a statement of social and political significance, and it reflects the cultural values of the French court at that moment. Editor: It certainly makes you wonder about the woman behind the title; she could be someone who loves her husband and children very deeply, and someone who can be a really good friend too. Curator: So, looking at it again, it reminds us that art can be both personal and deeply embedded in broader social and political currents. Editor: And sometimes, seeing the history helps you imagine the hidden life.