Madame Élisabeth de France
by LABILLE-GUIARD, Adélaide, Pastel on blue paper, seven sheets joined, laid down on canvas, oval, 79 x 65 cm
In this study for a more formal portrait, Ad�laïde Labille-Guiard portrays the younger sister of Louis XVI, who eventually followed him to the guillotine. The simple costume of Madame �lisabeth (1764–1794) accords with her gentle manner.
Labille-Guiard learned pastel technique from Maurice Quentin de La Tour. She was skilled at capturing the moods of her sitters, bringing their mobile expressions closely into view.