Art History Series: Madame de Pompadour as Diana The Huntress
- Ladureena
- Oct 23, 2024
- 2 min read
Madame de Pompadour as Diana – Goddess of the Hunt
After receiving her title and being formally presented at court in September 1745, Madame de Pompadour posed as Diana for the then-famous portraitist Jean-Marc Nattier, marking the beginning of her influence in the art world. She was the first lady to use paintings and other forms of art for something like personal propaganda and to impose her image as a dignified and intelligent figure in the king's retinue. The portrait was commissioned by Le Normand de Tourneheme (her guardian) in 1746 and the Marquise subsequently gave it to her brother, who kept it until his death. Years later, it fell into the collection of the Château de Versailles and now adorns the restored rooms of Madame de Pompadour.
The painting was keeping with the taste of its time and was received with great enthusiasm by the public. Despite the prying eyes, the figure is both decently dressed but with hinted shapes for the lovely figure below. The choice of theme comes from the meeting of the King and the Marquise during his hunt, as well as re-enforcing her Yew Tree Ball costume. The symbols around are not obtrusive, but on the contrary quite clear - bow, leather and arrows. Later there are numerous cases in which she is associated with this particular image. Young, ambitious and a little wild, but also her gentle look emphasizes her femininity and the blue color she chose gives an additional slight touch of high culture, power, as well as in rare cases blue was associated with the heavens and in this case shows her pure intentions. I wish you will be able to see this beauty one day!
Regards,
Julia
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