Artwork

Portrait of a Woman with a Guitar, called Louise D'Aumont, Mazarin, Duchesse d'Aumont

Portrait of a Woman with a Guitar, called Louise D'Aumont, Mazarin, Duchesse d'Aumont is an unspecified portrait miniature by the Rococo painting artist Antoine Vestier. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Woman with a Guitar, known as Louise D'Aumont, Mazarin, Duchesse d'Aumont, is a portrait miniature created by Antoine Vestier in 1790. The work showcases a woman playing a guitar, set against a plain dark background, emphasizing the subject's elaborate attire and gentle demeanor.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, identified as Louise D'Aumont, is depicted in luxurious 18th-century attire, including a blue-and-white dress, red shawl, and white fur trim, highlighting her social status. Her engagement with the guitar suggests refinement and leisure, characteristic of Rococo's emphasis on elegance and leisure activities.

Technique & Style

Vestier employed smooth, soft colors for the subject's face and delicate hands, contrasting with the dark background. The overall style aligns with Rococo, marked by its focus on pastel hues, gentle curves, and intimate settings. The miniature's framing, with a gold border adorned with tiny dots, adds to its jewel-like quality.

History & Provenance

Created in 1790 by Antoine Vestier, a member of the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture since 1785, this piece was part of his portfolio that included portraits of notable figures like Jean Henri Riesener. The portrait is currently part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Artist & collection

Artist

Antoine Vestier

Antoine Vestier (French pronunciation: ; 1740 – 24 December 1824) was a French miniaturist and painter of portraits, born at Avallon in Burgundy, who trained in the atelier of Jean-Baptiste Pierre.