Portrait of a Young Woman in White

Meet the original "it girl" of post-revolutionary France, or so we think. The true artist behind this portrait is a bit of a mystery, with experts attributing it to the "circle of Jacques-Louis David," which is art-world speak for "we're not entirely sure". This ambiguity only adds to her allure, don't you think? She's likely one of the *merveilleuses*, or "marvelous ones," a group of aristocratic survivors of the Reign of Terror who reacted to the trauma by embracing over-the-top fashion and a hedonistic lifestyle. Her simple white dress, reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman statues, was all the rage. These women would sometimes even dampen their dresses to better mimic the "wet drapery" look of classical sculptures—a bold move in any century. Notice the stark, almost severe, composition. The plain, dark background ensures there's absolutely nothing to distract from our leading lady. Her pose is formal, yet her expression is anything but. She seems utterly bored, perhaps even a little annoyed. It's this clash between the high-minded Neoclassical style and her palpable disinterest that makes the portrait so captivating. She's a revolutionary's daughter who has seen it all, and frankly, is over it.