Portret van Madame de Mouchy, vermoedelijk Anne d'Arpajon c. 1770

Curator: So, what's your initial impression of this print, what does it bring to mind? Editor: It's wonderfully unsettling. There's a sort of wistful grace about her, but those piercing eyes and the overall monochromatic palette give it a spectral, almost melancholic feel. Is this one of Richard Purcell’s works? Curator: It is. This is an engraving from around 1770, titled “Portret van Madame de Mouchy, vermoedelijk Anne d'Arpajon,” or “Portrait of Madame de Mouchy, presumably Anne d'Arpajon.” Currently it's part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. What do you make of the masquerade mask in her hand? Editor: Ah, that's key! Masks are power—they simultaneously conceal and reveal. In Madame de Mouchy’s case, in a society obsessed with appearances, holding it suggests both participation and critique. What games of deception might she be playing, and which ones are being played upon her? It speaks to a woman navigating a complicated social theatre. Curator: Absolutely. Purcell was adept at capturing not just the likeness but also the social context. Rococo, known for its opulence, here seems almost restrained. Editor: Restrained but far from simple, those opulent dresses still have to make statements, whisper secrets of wealth, influence, connections. The engraving captures a sense of hierarchy, who is who, but not aggressively so—subtly woven into the fabric, quite literally! Curator: Indeed, a softer, nuanced perspective than other contemporary artists, like, say, Jacques-Louis David who came later. There's an intimacy here despite the distance of time and class. It invites speculation on the part of the viewer. The way that her eyes hold the gaze and meet with you almost draws you into her own sphere. Editor: Which is, ultimately, what great portraiture accomplishes. It allows us to not only view history but to imagine ourselves as part of it. Thanks for sharing this glimpse behind the mask with me! Curator: A pleasure. I believe the print truly allows the soul of the sitter to resonate, despite being frozen in time.