Lady in White Gown with Yellow Shawl

Like the lady in cat.-no. 132, the lady in this miniature is shown in park scenery. She has unpowdered, naturally curly hair. The nearly translucent tulle gown is both a sign of naturalness and an erotic element.Though this miniature resembles the portrait in cat.-no. 132, it differs from the latter in its painting technique: the sky is not painted in gouache colours, as was usual in French miniature painting at that time, but in fair watercolours, reflecting the basic tendency of late 18th century French miniature painters to emulate the English style by letting the ivory show through in light parts. Thus, the miniatures lost their velvety effect and became full of harsh contrasts, which obviously corresponded to the taste of that time.

B.P.