Portrait of Louise-Élisabeth de France, Louis XV's Daughter "Mme Infante" 1749

Jean-Marc Nattier painted this portrait of Louise-Élisabeth de France, daughter of Louis XV, in oil on canvas. This intimate portrayal captures the young royal, known as Madame Infante, with a soft, almost wistful expression. Nattier, a sought-after portraitist in the French court, skillfully presents Louise-Élisabeth within the visual codes of aristocracy. Her delicate features, fair skin, and the subtle adornment of flowers in her hair speak to the ideals of beauty and status prevalent in 18th-century France. Consider the role of the court portrait in solidifying power and projecting an image of refined elegance. How might this image have functioned within the complex social and political landscape of the time? Art historians delve into such questions through close examination of both the artwork and its historical context, drawing upon letters, inventories, and other primary sources to illuminate the rich interplay between art and society.