Artwork

"L'Amour conjugal". A Young Woman with two Doves. An Allegory of Conjugal Love

"L'Amour conjugal". A Young Woman with two Doves. An Allegory of Conjugal Love is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-François de Troy. It dates from 1741 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1741, this oil on canvas by Jean‑François de Troy presents a young woman cradling two doves.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1741, this oil on canvas by Jean‑François de Troy presents a young woman cradling two doves. The figure is dressed in a simple white robe, her hair gathered at the back, and set against a deep, muted background that concentrates attention on the intimate tableau.

Subject & Meaning

The composition functions as an allegory of conjugal love, a theme common in Rococo visual culture. The doves, long associated with fidelity and peace, rest calmly in the woman's arms, suggesting a harmonious marital bond and the serene contemplation that accompanies it.

Technique & Style

De Troy employs a restrained palette, contrasting the luminous white of the robe with the dark, atmospheric backdrop. Soft modeling and delicate brushwork render the skin and feathers with a gentle realism, while the overall composition retains the graceful elegance characteristic of mid‑18th‑century French Rococo painting.

History & Provenance

The work entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. De Troy, a leading figure of his generation, also designed tapestries and directed the French Academy in Rome from 1738, underscoring his prominence in the artistic networks of the period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jean-François de Troy

Jean-François de Troy (27 January 1679, Paris – 26 January 1752, Rome) was a French Rococo easel and fresco painter, draughtsman and tapestry designer.