Elegant woman in a pouf headdress decorated with flowers and feathers' painting pastel on paper, 18th century

Elegant woman with a pouf headdress decorated with flowers and feathers'.
This 18th century pastel on paper portrays a pretty young middle-class woman wearing a pendant, with a graceful face and gentle expression. The composition highlights powdered hair, a delicate pale complexion and a subtle palette of parma shades, reminiscent of the style of Queen Marie Antoinette. This extravagant style was emblematic of an era marked by a constant quest for refinement and pageantry.

The work is presented in a stuccoed and gilded wooden frame in the Louis XVI style, with some wear and tear (small chips, cracks and splinters of gilding).

Please note that the reflections visible in the photos are due to the fact that they were taken under glass. The work is in good condition and sold as is, as shown in the photos.

Dimensions with frame: 80 x 60 cm.

Packing and delivery costs to be expected:
Collection: Free.
For Belgium: 50€.
For France: 150€.
For Europe: 200€.

For the rest of the world: On request.

Style and influence:

Marie Antoinette became an icon of fashion and refinement in the 18th century, embodying the elegance and extravagance of the Ancien Régime. She popularised several styles:

1. Extravagant hairstyles :

- The ‘pouf': A very voluminous hairstyle, achieved with hairpieces and white powder, often adorned with feathers, ribbons, flowers, and sometimes even small decorative or symbolic objects.

- These hairstyles symbolised the luxury and exuberance of the royal court.

2. French-style dresses:

- She frequently wore sumptuous dresses in silk or satin, adorned with lace, embroidery and pearls.

- Later, she adopted a simpler, country style, influenced by the hamlet she had built at Versailles. This gave rise to the ‘à la reine' style, marked by light dresses in white muslin.

3. Neoclassical taste:

 - Towards the end of her life, Marie-Antoinette adopted clothes and jewellery inspired by Antiquity, reflecting the emergence of the neoclassical style in opposition to rococo.

Marie-Antoinette symbolised both the splendour and the excesses of the French monarchy, which contributed to its downfall. Her extravagant style became emblematic of an era marked by a constant quest for refinement and pageantry.