This likeness of the marquise de Pompadour (1721–1764) was originally painted as a rectangular bust-length portrait for her brother, Abel-François Poisson, marquis de Marigny. After being damaged in transit, the portrait
was extended on all sides, most likely by Boucher himself, and transformed to portray the marquise at her dressing table. The depiction of the mirror was changed from silver to green lacquer around 1759, when many courtiers
surrendered their precious metals to support the war against Britain. About a decade later, the canvas may have been reshaped into an oval to suit contemporary taste.
Pompadour was the official mistress of Louis XV beginning in 1745. The king’s portrait on her wrist decorously signifies that bond. The signature and date of 1758 found above the chair are much later additions.
