Gouache on thin ivory signed undistinctly “Greuze” & dated “1795”. A model of virtue yet very erotic, so gracefully libertine. The woman in profile is angelic and depicted in light colors, clear pink, white, blue of the ribbon are present on most of the portrait, pure and celestial. Only the bottom of the painting with the red of the partially defeated dress accompanies the eroticism of her revealed breast. She looks at us naively though partly undressed. Painting related to the rococo style portrait, appearing at the beginning of the 18th century. Greuze proposes a model of an innocently tempting woman. The morals of the time are saved since the
candor is read in the gaze, the soft and serious face in no way being an invitation to anyone. Greuze skillfully uses antinomy or even ambiguity. Detailed study note available on email request.