Art History Series: Madame de Pompadour (1721 - 1764)

Jeanne Antoinette at a toilette table applying blush, 1758, François Boucher

Madame de Pompadour (1721 – 1764)

Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour, better known as Madame de Pompadour is an impressive French historical figure for whom I have a deep affection. Painted here by Francois Boucher. Her life begins in a small bourgeoise family, but after her father runs into debt and is banished from the country, her education and support is taken over by tax collector Charles Francois Paul Le Normant de Tournehem, who, due to rumours about the reputation of Jeanne Antoinette's mother, is believed to have been her biological father. She is sent to study at a prestigious college, from which she returns due to her fragile health, but her mother does not give up on doing everything possible for her to receive a brilliant education, and with the help of her guardian, who spares no wealth in the matter, she is trained by the most influential actors, opera singers and other teachers in music, art and social grace.

A side note, whether rumor or truth, is that her mother at the time took her to a fortune teller, Madame Lebon, who predicted that the young girl would one day rule the heart of a king. In time, she marries her guardian's nephew, giving her a title and property, and despite initial disapproval, he quickly falls in love with her and the couple become part of high society. Her status as a married woman allowed her access to famous salons, where she met Voltaire and many other figures of the Enlightenment, and later established her own salon. She often jokes that she would leave her beloved husband only for the king. This she is given a chance to do when the king goes hunting near her estate, and since she lives there, she is allowed to follow the king's convoy from afar. Jeanne Antoinette, however, is not content to stand at a distance and seeking the king's attention, crosses his path twice – once in a pink phaeton wearing a blue dress and then in a blue phaeton wearing a pink dress. The goal is achieved and the king sends venison from his hunt as a gift to her.

A year later, the king invites her to a masquerade ball where she is dressed as Diana (the goddess of the hunt) in honour of their meeting, and the king dressed as a yew tree removing his mask in front of her, announces his desire to woo her in front of the court and the royal family. She also approached the queen, gaining another ally, and from there her influence only grew upward and forward, reaching the title of official mistress of the king, as well as later lady-in-waiting to the queen, the highest position for a woman at the time. She leaves her husband, and receives from the king her new estate of Pompadour and the title of marquise. She spent much of her time as a patron of the arts – from painting, jewelry, book printing, music to architecture actively participating in the construction of her Rococo mansion. The so-called Queen of the Rococo from clothing to art and decor, as well as her strong influence in the porcelain factory of Sèvres that I spoke about, she greatly changed the look and direction of art in her time.

Regards,

Julia

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