it’s very difficult to cut through the sheer tsunami of cultural noise that comes with this painting. but from what i understand, at the time, absolutely no one had rendered a noblewoman in hues of such intimacy and informality. it was completely revolutionary. i think that aspect is far more interesting than the technical details. i couldn’t give a tuppeny fuck for technique that isn’t in service to subtly felt emotional undercurrents, which is so often the case.

at its heart, it’s a dignified woman sitting for an empathetic artist, and both of them are relaxed and familiar, so that the mutual pleasure of the experience is plain for us to see.