Souvenir with portrait of a woman 1785 - 1786

Editor: We’re looking at “Souvenir with portrait of a woman,” a mixed-media piece dating back to 1785-1786 by Gabriel Lebidois, currently held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s surprisingly ornate and delicate, quite unlike what I typically expect from this period. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: Initially, the contrasting geometries catch the eye. Notice the tension created by the rectangular frame that holds an oval portrait, softened with organic botanical decorative elements. The enamelwork also emphasizes a tension, here between flat color fields and intricate patterns. Editor: The enamel work is impressive. I particularly appreciate how the portrait's softness juxtaposes with the case’s hard, geometric structure. Curator: Exactly. And consider the lines and visual texture produced by the mixed-media application: how do they affect the composition? The black and white border offsets the detailed, painterly portrait and calls into question what attracts more attention: the object, or its adornment. Editor: That's an interesting point. The eye bounces back and forth between the miniature and the overall decorative scheme. So, would you say the formal elements enhance or detract from the portrait? Curator: That is subjective; it seems clear that each complements the other through considered construction, but which “wins” is largely based on preference. Note also the material choices and how those choices affect our perception of surface and depth. Editor: It does raise questions about the relationship between subject and setting. I hadn’t considered it that deeply before. Curator: I hadn't considered how personal preference guides the perception of “winning” elements, and I see your point. We can continue down an even more theoretical avenue that unpacks notions of surface, support, framing. But alas, our time is short. Editor: Fascinating, thank you.