Lady in Brown Dress in front of a Classical Landscape

Barrois chose an individual background and pose for each of his models and thus created pictures going far beyond a formal representation. This portrait is one of his typical works. Whereas the lady's body is slightly turned to the right, her head is turned to the left; this posture gives tension to the composition. Her traditional costume indicates a local dress tradition and the classical architectural elements and the temple in the background suggest an Italian environment. Although Barrois was a student of Fontallard his works clearly show Augustin's influence; it can be fairly assumed that Barrois studied and copied Augustin's miniatures.¹ Barrois' self-portrait shows an energetic young man.²
B. P.