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Sketch for a Portrait of Madame de Pompadour (1721–1764) by François Boucher

Sketch for a Portrait of Madame de Pompadour (1721–1764)

François Boucher·1750

Historical Context

Sketch for Portrait of Madame de Pompadour from 1750 at Waddesdon Manor shows the preparatory work for one of Boucher's most important portraits. His numerous portraits of Pompadour defined her image for posterity. Boucher's portraiture matches his decorative subjects in its emphasis on elegance and surface charm, deploying his characteristic soft palette to flatter sitters with an air of effortless aristocratic grace. His portraits of Madame de Pompadour are among the most celebrated images ...

Technical Analysis

The sketch shows Boucher's confident handling in the preparatory stage. The warm palette and elegant composition anticipate the finished portrait.

See It In Person

Waddesdon Manor

Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

Visit museum website →

Quick Facts

Medium
Oil paint
Dimensions
62.5 × 46 cm
Era
Rococo
Style
French Rococo
Genre
Portrait
Location
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
View on museum website →

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The Dispatch of the Messenger

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Arcadian Landscape with Figures

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