Portrait of a Lady of Quality, circa 1670
Workshop of Pierre Mignard (1612–1695)
Portrait of a young lady. She is depicted against a dark background, the young princess facing three-quarters, illuminated by a frontal light.
The lady is dressed in a gown known as a “déshabillé,” a refined garment emblematic of French fashion in the 1670s. Her bodice is adorned with black stones—diamonds. At that time, diamonds did not yet reflect light effectively. To accentuate their brilliance, cutters applied soot behind the stones, creating a contrast that gave the illusion of sparkle. This is why, in early Renaissance and 17th-century paintings, diamonds are often depicted in black.
Her hairstyle is “à la Hurluberlu,” characteristic of the 1670s–1680s, with two large curls on either side of a clearly defined central part.
The attribution of this portrait to the workshop of Pierre Mignard is beyond doubt, evident in the numerous details, the pose, and the lighting. This portrait is a perfect example of the work of Pierre Mignard’s workshop, a major painter of the Grand Siècle (the 17th century).
Pierre Mignard (Troyes 1612 – Paris 1695) was a French classical painter of the 17th century. Nicknamed “the Roman” because of his long stays in Rome, he divided his career between creating large historical compositions and portraiture, at which he excelled.
He is known for his portraits of the royal family and his contemporaries. He painted writers and women such as Molière, Bossuet, Madame de Montespan, Madame de Sévigné, Mademoiselle de Fontanges, and even Louis XIV ten times.
Louis XIV summoned him back in 1657 to commission him to decorate the dome of the Val-de-Grâce and the small gallery at Versailles.
Pierre Mignard is considered one of the finest colorists of his time and is distinguished by the naturalness and truthfulness of his figures’ expressions.
Circa 1670
France
Dimensions with frame: 113 cm x 93 cm
Dimensions without frame: 90 cm x 72 cm
