Antoine Pesne

By descent in the family of the present owner for at least fifty years.

Admired for his painterly rococo sensibilities and rich use of color, Antoine Pesne achieved unrivaled success as a portraitist for the Prussian court of the siècle des lumières. The French-born artist was summoned to Berlin in 1710 by King Frederick I and appointed official court painter shortly thereafter, quickly establishing a lofty reputation among the leading aristocracy. His tremendous success was documented by Voltaire, who recorded the following praises of King Frederick II:

Quel spectacle étonnant vient de frapper mes yeux! / Cher Pesne, ton pinceau t'égale au rang des dieux! 

(What an amazing sight strikes my eyes! / Dear Pesne, your brush makes you equal in rank to the gods!).

Dressed in a blue satin gown adorned with lace, pearls, and floral details, this elegant sitter was probably a member of the Prussian court. A related portrait by Anna Rosina Lisiewska (de Gasc), one of Pesne's students, depicts a different sitter wearing the same distinctive lace collar and gown, though in a purple fabric rather than blue.¹ Lisiewska, who was later appointed court painter herself, often copied Pesne's works.

¹ Anna Rosina Lisiewska (de Gasc), Portrait of a lady in a lavender dress. Warsaw, National Museum, inv. no. 75532 MNW.