Portrait of Madame Lethieullier

One of the most important eighteenth-century portraitists in all of Europe, Rosalba Carriera revolutionized the medium of pastel and turned her Venetian studio into an essential stop on the Grand Tour. This portrait of a wealthy woman stands out for the charming confidence of its sitter and its rich textural detail communicated through seemingly effortless strokes. Although this work is a highlight of the Museum’s collection, it can only be exhibited every few years due to the light-sensitivity of pastel.