Where can I see Charlotta Fredrika Sparre (1719-1795), later Countess Fersen?

Charlotta Fredrika Sparre (1719-1795), later Countess Fersen is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is Charlotta Fredrika Sparre (1719-1795), later Countess Fersen?

Charlotta Fredrika Sparre (1719-1795), later Countess Fersen is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Charlotta Fredrika Sparre (1719-1795), later Countess Fersen

Charlotta Fredrika Sparre (1719-1795), later Countess Fersen is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Marc Nattier. It dates from 1741 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Jean-Marc Nattier’s 1741 oil portrait presents Charlotta Fredrika Sparre, later known as Countess Fersen. Executed in the Rococo style, the work is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings and exemplifies the artist’s focus on aristocratic portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown in a white, low‑necked dress with puffed sleeves, holding a bow and adorned with a fur shawl and a single flower in her hair. Her hair is swept back, and she gazes directly at the viewer with a composed, neutral expression, suggesting both poise and personal presence.

Technique & Style

Nattier employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, creating subtle gradations of light and shadow that give the portrait a three‑dimensional quality. The muted background recedes, allowing the luminous fabrics and delicate details of the subject to dominate the visual field.

History & Provenance

Born in Paris in 1685, Nattier was the son of portraitist Marc Nattier and miniaturist Marie Courtois. He gained fame for depicting women of Louis XV’s court in allegorical settings. This particular portrait, painted in 1741, later entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection, where it remains on display.