Bust Portrait of a Woman wearing a Hooded Mantle 1703 - 1770

Francois Boucher created this print of a woman in a hooded mantle using etching and engraving techniques. The stark contrast between light and shadow models the fabric, conveying its texture and volume. The mantle’s elaborate folds, juxtaposed with the smooth skin of her face, evoke a tension between concealment and revelation. The composition draws your eye to the center, where the woman's serene expression is framed by the dramatic hood. Boucher's ability to suggest depth and movement is evident in the swirling lines of the mantle, giving the piece a dynamic quality despite its static subject. Boucher masterfully uses line and form to engage with the Rococo period's fascination with elegance, sensuality, and the theatrical. The woman’s ambiguous gaze, together with the textured fabric, create a sense of visual richness and emotional depth. Consider how Boucher’s strategic use of these formal elements invites us to continuously re-interpret the work.