Madame De Pompadour On Beign An Eye Candy

Heavenly pastel colors, beautiful puffy gowns, innocent and light featured portraits are all the epitome of what is called  “Rococo Art". This trend has emerged in the 18th century France ang great amount of joy sprinkled within, led to the production of most lavish art pieces ever seen –in my opinion!-. Traces of Rococo is not only seen in paintings but also intricate carvings in furniture, silver and ceramics, fashion, music also state of minds of the lot, since Henry XV was in reign and French upper-class was able to indulge in hedonistic, playful activities. Rococo took place during Enlightenment era when society was questioning their built in beliefs and eventually letting go of everything, slanting towards lighthearted funsies covered in pastel icing. 

Rococo coming from the French word ‘Rocaille’, means rock or broken shell and it was reflected in everywhere along with acanthus leaf, another signature motif. French Rococo encompassed femininity, playfulness, lux of frivolity and of course nature of beauty. Best forerunners of the era were Jean-Honoré Fragonard, François Boucher, and Maurice-Quentin de la Tour. Their incredible and gentle brushwork brought silk fabrics and pink roses alive . 

Whilst i admire all the created works of Rococo, portraits of Madame de Pompadaur’s are a jewel in the crown for me. Here’s a couple; 

Maurice Quentin was an artist recognized for his joyous and proud self portraitures and he also painted one of Madame Pompadour which is greatly intricate and whimsy. This Madame, as known as Jean Antoinette Poisson was a member of the French Court, and the official mistress of King Louis XV. Marquise of Pompadour was basically an assistant of sort to the King and took a favor in aiding him. She was quite successful in architecture, music, politics, decorative arts and especially porcelain. This lady secured her nobility for herself and we can definitely say she had an eye for good taste! Her iconic portraits reflects everything Rococo about her. Many of her portraits included books in detail to emphasize her intellectual, i presume she wanted to depict how she got both the beauty and the brains. Quentin’s pastel portrait of Madame Pompadour’s is rich in pastels as one can get from its title. She is seated with a bigger sized book turning the pages delicately. There is a musical insturement behind her, a globe on her desk and many other books on the side subtly representing her interest in learning and self development. Engraved features of her desk explains the Rococo architecture fully. 

François Boucher was one of the most celebrated artists of the 18th century, he painted several sides of Madame Pompadour. This one in particular belongs to 1756, she is seated, again with a book in hand, slightly smiling and gracefully gazing off. Her gorgeous dress is this sweet tone of blue and covered with blush pink roses symbolizing beauty, femininity and fragility, the way this gown is so intricately detailed make this painting seem very alive. There is a table with books, a feather pen and a half way opened letter, her patron of the arts reputation is highlighted as usual. A gorgeous bookcase with a cupid clock on top, overflowing with books shows in the mirror, the shell and acanthus leaf details on the bookcase, mini flower gold gilded mirror reflects her wealth and statue during the era and her enlightenment women persona. Her mini well behaved loyal friend accompanies her, which adds a sweet touch of warmth and intimacy.

In 1746, shortly after she was introduces as the mistress, a painting of her was commisioned in the court made by Jean Marc Nattier. She is portrayed in the role of Roman Goddess of the hunt, Nattier was popular for these kind of allegorical paintings, he often depicted noblewomen as goddesses, blending their personal attributes with mythological characters. Apart from the classical portraits of her's, she is in nature with a simple dress. Details are soft and light and her posture relaxed, holding a bow. Her blushed cheeks gives off youthfulness to a higher extent along with her porcelain white skin. This painting points out her taking a place among the aristocratic women who were traditionally painted as olympic deities.

Props to her!