Portrait of a Girl with a Lamb, L'Amitié

This portrait of a girl with a lamb, subtitled L'Amitié (Friendship), combines Greuze's two most popular motifs: the innocent young girl and the symbolic pairing of child with animal suggesting natural virtue. Dating from around 1785, the work was produced during a period when Greuze relied heavily on such subjects for income. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays theatrically posed figures, expressive faces registering emotion with unsubtle directness, a palette ranging from Rococo pastels in early works to colder, more sober tones after the Revolution.

The tender interaction between girl and lamb is rendered with soft modeling and warm tonality, the contrasting textures of skin, wool, and fabric demonstrating Greuze's naturalistic skill.