
Collection Online as of July 4, 2022
(French, 1685-1766)
Oil on canvas
Bequest of John L. Severance 1942.643
not on view
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.