Portrait of Madame Anne-Jeanne Cassanéa de Mondonville, née Boucon (1708-1780)

A direct gaze meets yours from this striking pastel portrait of Madame Anne-Jeanne Cassanéa de Mondonville, a noted musician and daughter of a prominent art collector. Her expression is both composed and spirited, a testament to the artist's ability to capture personality. Notice the delicate blush on her cheeks and the subtle shift in her eyes, suggesting a moment of lively engagement. The work was created in 1752, a time when pastel was gaining popularity for its ability to render soft, lifelike textures and vibrant colors quickly. This medium, essentially pure pigment, allows for a luminous quality, particularly evident in the way light plays across her powdered hair and the rich fabric of her dress. The portrait is said to have been completed in a single sitting, an impressive feat given its complexity and powerful presence, before a dispute over payment strained the friendship between artist and sitter.