LA TOUR, Maurice Quentin de
(b. 1704, Saint-Quentin, d. 1788, Saint-Quentin)

Mlle Ferrand Meditating on Newton

1753
Pastel on paper, 73 x 60 cm
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

The success of pastel portrait, introduced by Rosalba Carriera around 1720, fully corresponded to the cult makeup (preparing the sitter with cosmetics), for they provided Maurice Quentin de La Tour with a perfect, powdery medium for recording the vague smiles and expressions, the soft grace and irony of his aristocratic sitters.