Virtual Sketchbook #3
Portrait of Madame de Bourbon-Conti as Venus
Picture: Taken from iPhone by Ashley Vasquez on 03/28/2024 at the Ringling Museum
The painting Portrait of Madame de Bourbon-Conti as Venus, made byNoel-Nicolas Coypel, is an oil on canvas that is 54.3 by 42 inches big and currently featured at the Ringling Museum of Arts. Coypel’s painting is a portrait of Elisabeth de Bourbon, Princess of Conti, who was quite beautiful and a subject of much attraction, as clearly depicted. The painting has the allure of a bright dream-like outside scenery alongside flowers and flowing silks that quickly catch people’s attention. There is a trend of light pastel colors such as light pink and white garments, a baby blue sky, and pale colors that highlight the pampered life of French court. Baby cupids also adorn Princess Elisabeth with pretty flowers, which remind the audience of her youth and charismatic charm. Coypel and Elisabeth clearly worked on creating her public image to feature this delicacy and goddess of love illusion through the balance of colors, dimensions, and rococo fragility. Being a fan of the Rococo style drew me into this painting, and while deeply inspecting it, I was reminded of feelings of love, attraction, and even womanhood because of the delicacy and love illusion imbedded within the oils, which I believe is exactly what Elisabeth and Coypel intended the audience to feel.
The Portrait of Madame de Bourbon-Conti is associated with the Rococo art style and was painted during the Enlightenment (18th century). Although the Enlightenments focused on scientific learning and philosophical ideas of life, liberty, and separation of church and power, there was a popular appeal with elite members communicating their wealth through rococo- styled art, interior design, architecture, and more (2.1 Shifting Sensibilities: The Enlightenment and Rococo, ART 188). Princess Elisabeth, being an enlightenment follower herself, illustrated this dramatic shift from the previous baroque style into the lively rococo style when depicting herself. She and Coypel worked on illustrating her image far away from the remote, aloof, and formal style into this delicacy, lighthearted elegance conveyed through light and pastel colors (portrait of Madame de Bourbon-Conti). Understanding the imagery and alluring beauty of this painting tells the audience that Coypel enjoyed painting natural beauty and depicting love and its allure through lightness and asymmetrical pose. Ringling described it as “This Rococo pose reminds us of the change and fragility that love encounters” (portrait of Madame de Bourbon-Conti). The message of great shift and nature beauty found with youth and bright accent is illustrated throughout the painting for the audience to see, as is the image of Elisabeth as a playful and charming goddess. There are also references to how the elite's pampered life and wealth through luscious silks and pearls. There are many references and illustrations to convey the message clearly.
Overall, I think the importance of this art is to bring a different perspective to a changing society. I think it creates this idealized perspective of wealth, love, and beauty. There is something about its specific naturalistic complexity, such as the princesses’ beauty compared to previous works of art, that makes it attractive; however, there’s also referenced to love with baby cupids and imaginary figures. I believe this painting was made to catch the audience’s attention to this dream-like scenery and entice us with beauty while reminding us of love. As a woman, I particularly felt drawn to its beauty.
Sources used:
2.1 Shifting Sensibilities: The Enlightenment and Rococo – ART 188. art188.lib.miamioh.edu/18th-and-19th-century-art/1-enlightenment-and-rococo.
PORTRAIT OF MADAME DE BOURBON-CONTI. ringlingdocents.org/pages/bourbon-conti.htm.
Ringling Photos:
