Portrait of a Lady C.1660; Circle of Jean Nocret (1615-1672)

Oil on canvas.

In this circa 1660 portrait, a beautiful young sitter is depicted in a fahionable silver dress, made of the finest material, with full loose sleeves, fashionable in the middle of the century. A sheer scarf is knotted into a collar around her shoulders. The hairstyle pulled back and with set corkscrew locks and short ones framing the face is again typical of the 50s and the young lady wears the accessory par excellence – pearls, which was more or less and obligatory accompaniment. France dictated fashions of Western Europe during much of the 17th century and the origin was at the French court and more notably the Bourbon monarchs (Louis XIV to Louis XVI) and trends changed rapidly. France led in this area because England was wracked by civil war and Italy’s days of Renaissance glory were over. France developed into the main political and cultural power and from the mid century European rulers strove to imitate the powerful Sun King. France also became the center for lace-making and silk and brocade manufacturing and its many goods were in high demand in other European countries.

This portrait is an excellent example of the Nocret portrait, the face is demonstrative of the painter's skill and excellent quality.

Jean Nocret (1615-1672) was a highly accomplished artist and almost his entire ouevre consists of work for the French court and aristocracy. Born at Nancy France, at a young age he travelled to Rome and became a pupil of Nicolas Poussin. He returned to France in 1644 and was appointed in 1649 painter to the king, the king's valet, and painter of the Duke of Orleans. He is also renowned for this depiction of the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Orleans, Louis XIV and his family (now in the museum of the castles of Versailles and Trianon) painted for the antechamber of the Duke of Orleans in 1670. In 1663, Nocret joined the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and between 1666 and 1669 ne decorated the apartments of the Queen at the Palace of the Tuileries, under the direction of Charles Le Brun. Although his work is limited almost entirely to the French court he travelled to Portugal in 1657 to paint the court there. The Prado Museum holds eight works, all portraits of the French court sent to Spain. After his death his son, also a painter, took over the practice.

Provenance: French private collection

Measurements: Height 69cm, Width 59cm framed (Height 27.5”, Width 23.5” framed)

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