1877 Countess of Pourtalès by Pierre Auguste Renoir (Musée d'Art de São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil)
Most of the artists shown on this site can be called society portraitists ranging from Gheeraerts to Boldini. Some society portraitists are superstars such as van Dyck, Rubens, the great British 18th century portraitists, Goya, and John Singer Sargent and, as such, are well known to almost everybody. But others, like Gheeraerts, de Largilliere, Hudson, Gérard, Hayter, Winterhalter, and Boldini, are less well-known. This is the sole work from superstar artist Pierre August Renoir to date joining the sole Rafael of Jeanne d'Aragon, the sole Titian of Isabel of Portugal, and the sole Rembrandt of Amalia van Solms.
The Countess' cuirasse bodice is adorned with gilt embroidery forming a vee framed by revers while similar embroidery decorates the bodice below her neckline. Her dress is sleeveless with broad straps forming the sides of her square neckline.
Keywords: 1877, Renoir, Comtesse Melanie de Pourtalès, Countess, Pourtalès family, French, curly coiffure, square neckline, modesty piece, revers, cuirasse bodice, strap sleeves, close skirt, floral bodice ornament, earrings, bracelets