Artwork
A Lady and a Servant
A Lady and a Servant is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Maria Margaretha la Fargue. It dates from 1789 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
A Lady and a Servant is an 1789 oil painting by Maria Margaretha la Fargue, a Dutch Republic artist known for genre scenes and cityscapes. The work captures a serene domestic moment between a lady, her servant, and a small child.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a quiet, intimate interaction within a domestic setting. A lady, dressed in a blue lace-trimmed gown, reads a book while a servant stands by, holding a tray with tea service. A curious child and a cat complete the scene, emphasizing everyday family life.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work showcases la Fargue's attention to texture and color, particularly in the rendering of fabrics and furnishings. The composition reflects the rococo style, characterized by a warm, gentle light from a background window illuminating the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in 1789, A Lady and a Servant is part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection. La Fargue, from a family of Huguenot descent, was trained alongside her artist brothers, reflecting her unique background as a female painter of the time.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Maria Margaretha la Fargue (1738–1813) was an 18th-century painter from the Dutch Republic.
A Mother Feeding her Child (The Happy Mother)
Susanna van Collen née Mogge and her daughter
Afternoon Tea
A Mother Feeding her Child (The Happy Mother)
Pamela tells a nursery tale
Portrait of Robert Muys and his Wife Maria Nozeman
Triptych: Allegory of Art Training
'Good Neighbors'
Lady at Her Toilette
Interior with a woman showing a bird cage to two children
Saying Grace
A Lady and a Child with a Serving Maid