The Artist’s Niece, Marianne Lavergne, Known as ‘La Liseuse’

Jean-Etienne Liotard, 1746

This is the original of one of Liotard’s most famous compositions, of which he made several versions. He entitled it La Liseuse (the reader), and evidently intended it as a genre piece, although he also identified the figure as his niece wearing Lyonnaise costume. Liotard took it to Versailles in 1748 to advertise his skills as a pastellist to the French court.

  • Artwork typedrawing, pastel
  • Object numberSK-A-228
  • Dimensionsheight 54.5 cm x width 43 cm, weight 6 kg
  • Physical characteristicspastel on vellum

Identification

  • Title(s)

    The Artist’s Niece, Marianne Lavergne, Known as ‘La Liseuse’

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-228

  • Description

    Portret van Mlle Lavergne, een nicht van de kunstenaar, bekend als 'La liseuse'. Jonge vrouw, ten halven lijve, zittend in een stoel, lezend in een brief die zij voor zich houdt. Onderdeel van de collectie pastels.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    • signature and date: ‘J.E. Liotard lion 1746’
    • inscription: ‘Mad.elle Lavergne de Lion peint par Liotard’

Creation

  • Creation

    draftsman (artist): Jean-Etienne Liotard

  • Dating

    1746

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    pastel on vellum

  • Dimensions

    • height 54.5 cm x width 43 cm
    • weight 6 kg

This work is about

  • Person

  • Subject


Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Bequeathed by Miss Marie-Anne Liotard, Amsterdam

  • Acquisition

    bequest 1873

  • Copyright


Documentation

    • Duncan Bull, 'Princess, countess, lover or wife? Liotard's 'lady on a sofa'', The Burlington Magazine, The Burlington Magazine 150 (2008), p. 594, afb. 25.
    • Taco Dibbits, Het Hollands meisje van Liotard : Exceptionele aanwinst voor Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, uit: Bulletin van de Vereniging Rembrandt, 27, 2017, 1, pagina 22-24 - p. 22, afb.

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