Artwork
The family of the Duke of Penthièvre called la tasse de chocolat
The family of the Duke of Penthièvre called la tasse de chocolat is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Baptiste Charpentier the Elder. It dates from 1768 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.
About this work
Overview
Executed in oil on canvas, the work shows a small gathering of aristocrats in an opulently furnished interior, each holding a drinking vessel.
Jean‑Baptiste Charpentier the Elder painted *The family of the Duke of Penthièvre called la tasse de chocolat* in 1768. Executed in oil on canvas, the work shows a small gathering of aristocrats in an opulently furnished interior, each holding a drinking vessel. The composition captures a moment of informal leisure among members of the Penthièvre household, rendered in the refined elegance typical of French Rococo portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre of the scene stands Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre, an admiral who holds a cup of chocolate, a fashionable indulgence of the era. Flanked by his relatives, the painting presents a domestic tableau that emphasizes familial intimacy and the courtly pleasure of shared refreshments, while the inclusion of a lapdog adds a touch of personal affection.
Technique & Style
Charpentier employs a light, pastel palette and delicate brushwork to model the silk gowns, lace trims, and polished wood floor. Gold‑leafed wall panels and sumptuous drapery frame the figures, creating a sense of depth through subtle chiaroscuro. The overall effect reflects the Rococo taste for graceful lines, ornamental detail, and a gently theatrical atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The portrait was commissioned for the Duke’s household and later entered the royal collection. It now belongs to the Musée national du Château de Versailles, where it is displayed among other works that document the visual culture of the French aristocracy in the late eighteenth century.
Context
Chocolate, imported from the Americas, had become a fashionable drink among the French elite by the mid‑1700s, often served in elaborate cups. The painting therefore not only records a family gathering but also illustrates contemporary consumption habits, highlighting the luxury and cosmopolitan tastes of the courtly milieu.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Baptiste Charpentier the Elder
Jean-Baptiste Charpentier the Elder (1728, Paris - 3 December 1806, Paris) was a French Rococo portrait painter, associated with the Royal Court.
