Who painted Madame du Barry and the Page Zamore?

Madame du Barry and the Page Zamore was painted by Unknown.

Where can I see Madame du Barry and the Page Zamore?

Madame du Barry and the Page Zamore is held by Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.

Artwork

Madame du Barry and the Page Zamore

Madame du Barry and the Page Zamore is an oil painting by Unknown. It is held in the collection of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. The canvas portrays a seated woman in a white dress accented by a pink bow at her neck, holding a small cup and saucer in her right hand.

About this work

Overview

The canvas portrays a seated woman in a white dress accented by a pink bow at her neck, holding a small cup and saucer in her right hand. To her left stands a young boy dressed in red, bearing a tray with a teapot and cups. Both figures gaze toward each other, set against a dark background highlighted with subtle gold details.

Subject & Meaning

The woman is identified as Madame du Barry, the famed mistress of King Louis XV, while the boy, dressed in a red turban and jacket trimmed in gold, is the page Zamore. Their interaction, centered on the exchange of tea implements, suggests a moment of courtly service and intimacy within the private sphere of the French aristocracy.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work employs a restrained palette that contrasts the luminous white of the dress with the deep shadows of the backdrop. The artist renders textures—silk, metal, and porcelain—with fine brushwork, while the gold accents catch light, adding a subtle decorative flourish typical of late‑Baroque portraiture.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the collection of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon. Its acquisition history traces back to the museum’s early 20th‑century purchases, though the exact date of entry and prior owners are not detailed in the available records.

Context

Created during a period when portraits of court figures often emphasized status through costume and accessories, the work reflects the cultural practice of depicting intimate domestic scenes. The inclusion of a page in exotic attire aligns with contemporary tastes for Orientalist elements within French elite portraiture.