Portrait of Johanna Doré c. 1647 - 1651

This is François Dieussart’s marble bust of Johanna Doré. Notice the cool, smooth texture of the marble. It's hard, but also delicate, capable of capturing fine details like the lace collar and the soft curls of her hair. The composition is classical, focusing on the head and upper torso. Yet, look closely—Dieussart subtly plays with asymmetry. One shoulder is slightly higher, the head is turned just a bit. It is through these variations from perfect symmetry that the sculpture gains a sense of life and movement. The bust embodies the restrained emotional expression typical of formal portraiture, yet these slight asymmetries complicate any singular reading. It challenges the viewer to reconcile the artifice of the portrait with the possible reality of the person. The marble and the semiotic signs encoded within, offer us an image of status and decorum, yet something remains elusive, unfixed.