Portrait of Aleksandra Potocka Née Lubomirska as Melpomene 1779

Pompeo Batoni's "Portrait of Aleksandra Potocka Née Lubomirska as Melpomene" (1779) is a striking example of Neoclassical portraiture. Batoni, a prominent Italian painter, captures Aleksandra Potocka's likeness in a sophisticated pose, her gaze directed upwards, echoing the ideals of classical sculpture. The subject, dressed in a simple gown, wears a dramatic, theatrical headdress, suggesting her identity as Melpomene, the tragic muse. The composition and the use of light and shadow enhance the noble and melancholic air of the portrait, highlighting the beauty and intelligence of the sitter.