Shapely Women [has moved]: October 2012

French ambassador's wife in Oriental Costume.

Annette Comtesse de Vergennes, in Oriental Costume.
Antoine de Favray, 18th century

Wikipedia recomends this lovely portrait of a French ambassador's wife, again in Oriental costume. The first thing that catches my attention is her creamy skin and pearl jewelry, but I soon notice the round waist... and then the foreshortened leg and slipper peeking from under her dress! An ambiguous portrait and the composure implies disarray, but beautiful nonetheless.

Turkish Women

Turkish Women
Antoine de Favray, 1754

From One Year One Painting a Day.

A minor french painter noted for his portraits of the Ottoman Empire. I have a hard time believing that these are actual Turkish women; I find it more likely that he's found French women who want to indulge in Oriental fantasies. Again notice the delicate pointed fingers plaiting the central woman's hair, and the strait noses they all share.

Portrait: Bianca Cappello de Medici

Bianca Cappello de Medici
Lavinia Fontana, 16th century Italy
From One Year One Painting a Day.

One wonders how long she had to stand for this portrait. The boy apparently wouldn't stay put for long, because his face is rather more sketched. I also find it interesting that 16th century hands are always delicate and arching, regardless of body structure. The wiki entry linked above has a slimmer portrait from Bianca's youth, which offers an interesting contrast.

Gravin de Pagès as St. Catherine

Gravin de Pagès, née de Cornellan, as St. Catherine
Joseph-Désiré Court, 1850
Found at french-painters.blogspot.com

For me, this one's curious because it's a married woman posing as the 14th-century St. Catherine. Why? Did she choose this or did someone suggest this? Did she particularly admire St. Catherine? Was this her saint name? A serious, studious portrait, but very well laid-out.