Dame de Qualite a sa Toilette

DateCa. 1695-1700

Publisher Nicolas Bonnart ca. 1637 - 1718

Engraver Robert Bonnart 1652 - 1729

OriginEurope, France, Paris

MediumBlack and white line engraving and etching with hand color

DimensionsOH: 10 1/4" x OW: 7 1/4" plate H: 9" x W: 6 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1941-10

DescriptionLower margin reads: "R.B. del. N. Bonnart, rue S.t Jacques, a l'aigle avec privi/ Dame de Qualité à sa Toilette./ Je suis de qualité, bien-faite, jeune et belle,/ Si mon ajustement pouvoit plaire aux humains;/ Et si leur passion devenoit criminelle/ Pour moy, je m'en lave les mains."Label TextA beautiful young French women is seen making her toilette. She washes her hands in a basin. The basin is being filled with fresh water by a serving boy. A serving women fixes her hair. Still another male servant holds out a towel for her. On the dressing table in front of the young woman is a mirror, jewel box and makeup. The room is elegantly furnished and through the window, a large wealthy home is indicated. It is interesting to note the use of strong orange color on all of the people's cheeks for early color techniques.ProvenanceBefore 1941, Mrs. J. B. Taliaferro Antiques (Clarksville, VA); 1941-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).