Portrait of Madame Mottez 1841

Editor: This is Théodore Chassériau's portrait of Madame Mottez, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a delicate sketch. I'm curious—what does this drawing evoke for you? Curator: It whispers of a bygone era, doesn't it? The precision of the lines, the almost haunting gaze… Chassériau captures a certain… stillness. Almost like he is trying to capture her soul. Editor: I see what you mean. It's less about realism and more about something…deeper? Curator: Exactly! Do you think she knew how transient life is? Or how her portrait would be viewed centuries later? A little haunting, a little lovely. Editor: It makes you wonder, doesn't it? I’ll never look at a portrait the same way again.