Who painted Marie Antoinette of Austria, Dauphine of France, ca. 1770?

Marie Antoinette of Austria, Dauphine of France, ca. 1770 was painted by Catherine Lusurier in 1773.

Where can I see Marie Antoinette of Austria, Dauphine of France, ca. 1770?

Marie Antoinette of Austria, Dauphine of France, ca. 1770 is held by Palace of Versailles.

What movement is Marie Antoinette of Austria, Dauphine of France, ca. 1770?

Marie Antoinette of Austria, Dauphine of France, ca. 1770 is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Marie Antoinette of Austria, Dauphine of France, ca. 1770

Catherine Lusurier , 1773

Marie Antoinette of Austria, Dauphine of France, ca. 1770 is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Catherine Lusurier. It dates from 1773 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Overview

Catherine Lusurier’s oil portrait, executed circa 1770 and finished in 1773, presents the future French queen in her capacity as Dauphine. Rendered in the Rococo idiom, the work is part of the Palace of Versailles collection and exemplifies the period’s preference for elegance and refined sentiment.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is Marie Antoinette of Austria, depicted as a young aristocratic woman with pale skin, blue eyes, and a composed demeanor. Her attire—a pink silk dress trimmed with lace, a matching hair bow, and a light fur collar—signals her status while conveying the genteel poise expected of a royal consort.

Technique & Style

Lusurier employs a muted palette and fluid brushwork characteristic of Rococo portraiture, allowing the flesh tones and fabrics to appear soft and luminous. The plain backdrop eliminates distractions, directing attention to the sitter’s face and sumptuous clothing, while the delicate handling of light enhances a sense of calm intimacy.

History & Provenance

Trained in the studio of her uncle, the portraitist Hubert Drouais, Lusurier completed this painting during her early career. After its creation, the canvas entered the royal collection and remains displayed at Versailles, providing a rare example of a female artist’s contribution to 18th‑century French court portraiture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Catherine Lusurier

Catherine Lusurier (1752 – 11 January 1781) was a French painter. Lusurier was a native of Paris; her mother, Jeanne Callot, was a dressmaker, while her father Pierre was a member of a family of hatters. She was the…