This woman, seated in a three-quarter profile—a typical pose in portraits of the period—wears a black dress with delicately crafted white lace trim and refined embellishments.

A golden fabric with a floral pattern in red and white, to which a teardrop-shaped pearl is carefully attached, gracefully adorns her left shoulder. An embellishment of golden and pink pearls contrasts with the dark colour of the dress. At its tip, a majestic and striking red flower with its leaves is positioned at the bodice.

Largillière regularly plays with the interplay of materials; here, the light and delicate lace contrasts with the denser fabric of the dress, the almost transparent pearls harmonise with the barely perceptible, translucent ribbon tied around her right arm, and the flower, with its dynamic form and shimmering colour, refines this harmony and echoes the red ornamentation holding a pearly bead in her hair. Finally, her grey-white hair is styled in an elaborate manner typical of Largillière’s paintings, adorned with a golden ribbon that appears to be of the same material as the fabric.


In the background, as if to emphasise this woman’s beauty, Largillière has subtly depicted an interior with grandiose features. The sight of an imposing column in the antique style and the subtle play of shades to convey the depth of the room suggest that this lady of distinction is seated in a castle.