Lady with Mask (Mme Parabère?)

The young lady, described as Mme Parabère, mistress of Louis XV¹ on the reverse of the miniature, wears a green dress with gold embroidery and sumptuous strings of pearls. Pearl ornaments adorn her hair, neck and wrists. The broadly striped sleeves attest to influences of Italian fashion. The pink shawl billowing around the sitter is fastened at her décolleté with a large gemstone. The different colours of her gown, the lavish jewellery, the patterns on her sleeves, and last but not least the mask in her hand suggest that she had herself represented in disguise. Is this an allusion to a masked ball that the miniature is supposed to call to mind, or did this masquerade originate from the artist’s imagination? The attribute of a mask is not uncommon in 18th century ladies’ portraiture and served to enhance the picture. The moment at a ball when masks are removed is full of suspense, as the individuals hiding behind the mare now revealed. There is an additional element of coquetry: for a face, previously concealed behind plain brown leather, appears all the more attractive after removal of the mask. Surely the lady is using this strategy hereto show her complete forthrightness towards the miniature’s addressee.
The unknown miniaturist very skilfully arranged the picture into the circular setting: the lady’s left arm is harmoniously directed alongside the image rim, while the elbow of her right arm appears to be propped up on it. Her head is painted against a blue sky, being confined by trees on both sides in an unobtrusive symmetry.
B. P.