Artwork Page for Portrait of a Woman as Diana

Details / Information for Portrait of a Woman as Diana

Portrait of a Woman as Diana

1752

Jean-Marc Nattier

(French, 1685–1766)
Culture
France, 18th century
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
Framed: 127.5 x 107.5 x 10 cm (50 3/16 x 42 5/16 x 3 15/16 in.); Unframed: 100.4 x 79.5 cm (39 1/2 x 31 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of John L. Severance 1942.643
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The sitter was once thought to be King Louis XV’s daughter Henriette or his mistress Madame de Pompadour. Today, her identity is unknown.

Description

For many years, this sitter was identified as Madame de Pompadour, but she bears little resemblance to this pivotal figure in French art and politics of the mid 1700s. Nattier specialized in portraits of women in mythological guises—in this case, the bow, quiver, and leopard skin, all attributes of Diana, goddess of the hunt.
A vertical oil portrait depicts a woman with light skin tone as Diana, her body turned slightly to our right. Looking directly at us, her gray hair is decorated with small flowers. She holds a long wooden bow, wearing a white gown with blue fabric and spotted animal fur draped over her shoulder. To our left, a gnarled tree trunk rises, while a hazy sky and distant mountains appear on our right.

Portrait of a Woman as Diana

1752

Jean-Marc Nattier

(French, 1685–1766)
France, 18th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork