Madame la Comtesse de Boufflers and Thérèse 1763 - 1767

This intimate portrait by Louis de Carmontelle was rendered in watercolor and graphite on paper. A quick medium, watercolor was often used for preparatory sketches, but here it becomes the final product, resulting in a work that feels both immediate and refined. The delicate washes and precise lines capture the textures of the women's elaborate dresses and hairstyles, but look closer, and you'll see the mark of the artist's hand. Rapid strokes create a sense of depth and volume, particularly in the foliage surrounding the figures, and the controlled yet fluid application of pigment allows the paper's surface to subtly shine through. Watercolor's portability made it a favorite of amateur artists and professionals alike, and the resulting images, like this one, speak to a culture of leisure and artistic pursuits. It's a reminder that artmaking itself, like the reading depicted, was an activity closely tied to social class and the rituals of everyday life. Appreciating such images involves acknowledging both the skill of the artist and the social context in which the work was produced.