'Madame de Pompadour': François Boucher's Portrait of Power.

The article discusses the portrait of Madame de Pompadour, a powerful figure during the reign of French king Louis XV. Painted by François Boucher in 1756, the portrait showcases Pompadour's status as a tastemaker and her role in managing access to the crown. The painting depicts Pompadour in her mid-30s, surrounded by examples of her taste and talent. It also highlights the ornate surfaces of the ancien régime and the transition from Rococo to Neoclassicism. The portrait is currently on display at Munich's Alte Pinakothek museum. [Extracted from the article]