Portret van Carolina Bonaparte, prinses Murat 1829

Editor: This is a lithograph from 1829, "Portret van Carolina Bonaparte, prinses Murat" by Zéphenrin Belliard. I'm struck by its ethereal quality, like a dream of royalty. The soft pinks and blues…it's almost too delicate to be real. What catches your eye most about this piece? Curator: Well, you’re right. There's a wistful romance to it. It makes me think of a pressed flower, still holding a faded beauty. I see a calculated fragility – Belliard is very carefully creating an impression of this woman that is supposed to tell us all about her. Does it work? Look at how much detail is dedicated to the jewellery versus her face - does she need it? What do you think it means that she's not directly engaging with the viewer? Editor: I think it’s strategic. Maybe the artist wants us to see her in a contemplative, powerful state. The jewellery is almost armour; it says “royal.” The averted gaze feels less inviting but maybe that’s part of the point. She doesn't NEED to charm you; she just *is.* Curator: I love that. It really speaks to the tightrope women of power walked then, doesn't it? Ornamentation versus agency - and sometimes they become entangled. The jewellery is like the cage and the key to her self expression! Maybe all the performance required of her ended up creating a mystery. Editor: It’s fascinating how much a simple portrait can suggest. I had assumed the beauty of it all was mostly superficial, but now I see something more complex. Curator: Absolutely, it’s about the artist deciding which codes of behaviour or social constraints can reveal much about her inner world! Each time I see this, I discover fresh ideas and that makes me like this piece!