Who is depicted in this portrait?

The portrait shows Marie Adelaide of France (1732-1800), the third daughter of King Louis XV, dressed as the Roman goddess Diana.

Where can I see this painting?

The painting hangs at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy, within the Galleria Palatina collection.

What style is this portrait?

Nattier painted this in the French Rococo style, blending portraiture with mythological allegory. He was the favorite court painter of Louis XV.

What are the symbols in the painting?

The bow, arrows, crescent moon, and leopard skin are all attributes of Diana, goddess of the hunt. These symbols transform the royal portrait into mythological allegory.

Where Is Portrait of Mary Adelaide of France as Diana?

French artist Jean-Marc Nattier painted this Portrait of Marie Adelaide of France as Diana in 1745, depicting the third daughter of King Louis XV in the guise of the Roman goddess of the hunt. The princess reclines against a serene riverside landscape, holding a bow while a quiver of arrows rests nearby. A crescent moon adorns her hair, and a leopard skin drapes across her shoulder.

This type of allegorical portraiture was a hallmark of French Rococo painting. Nattier became the favorite portraitist of Louis XV's court, and his ability to blend historical portraiture with mythological allegory made him enormously popular among the aristocracy. The soft, diffused light and rosy cheeks are trademarks of his elegant style.

Marie Adelaide (1732-1800) was a talented musician who never married, instead remaining at the French court until the Revolution forced her into exile. The painting measures 95 x 128 cm and hangs at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, within the Galleria Palatina. Its idealized femininity and rich colors demonstrate why Nattier was so sought after by the Bourbon court.