Artwork
Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse Du Barry, Being Offered a Cup of Coffee by Zamor
Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse Du Barry, Being Offered a Cup of Coffee by Zamor is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jean-Baptiste André Gautier-Dagoty. It dates from 1771 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jean‑Baptiste André Gautier‑Dagoty produced a colour mezzotint in 1771 that portrays Jeanne Bécu, later known as the Comtesse Du Barry, receiving a cup of coffee from her servant Zamor. Executed on laid paper, the image captures an intimate domestic moment, set against a darkened interior that isolates the figures and emphasizes their interaction.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows the future courtesan seated in a white dress, her hair arranged in soft curls, holding a small cup while a servant in a red coat leans forward, pouring from a pitcher. The subdued lighting and the careful rendering of her pale complexion suggest a private, perhaps tender exchange, highlighting the personal side of a figure otherwise known for her public notoriety.
Technique & Style
As a mezzotint, the print relies on successive applications of ink to create tonal gradations, producing a rich chiaroscuro effect. Gautier‑Dagoty’s handling of light yields delicate shadows under the sitter’s eyes and a velvety darkness in the background, while the texture of the laid paper contributes to the overall depth and subtlety of the image.
History & Provenance
Gautier‑Dagoty, a Paris‑born portraitist active in the mid‑18th century, specialized in capturing elite figures before his death in 1786. This particular print, dated 1771, reflects his engagement with contemporary subjects and his skill in printmaking, offering a rare visual record of Du Barry before her elevation to the French court.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Baptiste André Gautier-Dagoty
Jean-Baptiste André Gautier-Dagoty, or simply Gautier d'Agoty (15 September 1740, in Paris – 1786, in Paris) was a French painter who specialized in portraits.
