Portrait of Mme. Anne-Henriette de France

Art Historical Context

This elegant mezzotint portrait captures Mme. Anne-Henriette de France, a daughter of King Louis XV, rendered with remarkable sensitivity around 1750. Created by Swiss-born pastellist Jean-Étienne Liot, known for his exquisite rococo portraits of European nobility, and engraved by François Xavier Vispré, the print reflects the refined tastes of the French court during the mid-18th century. Liotard's original likely featured his signature soft, luminous pastel technique, translating beautifully into print form to immortalize the young royal's poised features and delicate attire. Mezzotint, the chosen medium, was revolutionary for its ability to produce velvety tones and subtle gradations, mimicking the richness of oil paintings far beyond traditional line engravings. At just 9½ x 6⅞ inches, this intimate plate (from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Prints collection) exemplifies how such techniques democratized access to elite portraiture, allowing prints to circulate among collectors and admirers across Europe. Historically, the artwork embodies the era's fascination with royal intimacy amid Versailles' opulence, offering a glimpse into the life of a Bourbon princess before her early death in 1752. A gift to the Met in 2009, it highlights the enduring allure of 18th-century portraiture in celebrating feminine grace and aristocratic legacy.

About the Artist

François Xavier Vispré|Jean Etienne Liotard (French|Swiss) · 1730 |1702 –1790 |1789

French, Besançon 1730–1790 London|Swiss, Geneva 1702–1789 Geneva