Rococo en Fleurs: Inspiration: Madame de Pompadour

I recently began creating a collection of flowers inspired by the illustrious Madame de Pompadour, one of the mistresses of Louis XV. Originally named Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, she was born in 1721 in Paris and was raised in a convent. She was well educated by tutors her mother personally hired, and she eventually became a talented actress and singer. She was married to Charles-Guillaume Le Normant d'Étiolles, and became quite well known in society. Her notoriety earned her the attention of Louis XV, and only four years after her wedding, she became his mistress and moved into her own apartments at Versailles. Shortly after that, she and her husband were officially separated.

As mistress of Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour gained wealth and power. She was able to have many portraits commissioned of herself and often helped artists rise in popularity as a result of her support. My latest flowers have all been inspired by a pastel drawing of her by Maurice Quentin de La Tour created in 1755 when she was 34. In the drawing she is wearing gown made of light blue fabric patterned with contrasting gold and turquoise flower designs. Each of the flowers incorporates these colors in some way. I love how the complimentary colors work together to create such lively little compositions in each flower!