Mademoiselle Louis Jacket / Pastel / Estimated between 1748 and 1752

Portrait of a woman / pencil and pastel / estimated between 1758 and 1762

Jean Étienne Liotard was a Swiss painter and artist. He is best known for the works he drew with Pastel from his trip to Turkey. He was originally French and a citizen of the Republic of Geneva, but spent most of his career in European capitals, living and working in Rome, Istanbul, Paris, Vienna, London and other cities.

The characteristics of this artist's works include delicate and beautiful designs and smiling faces of the models. Portraits were taken very seriously at the time, and Liotard innovated in drawing smiling faces. The smiling faces were a reflection of the Enlightenment philosophies that inspired Liotard.

Noblewoman and Servant Boy / 1750 - Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

In this painting, a French woman of European descent but dressed in Eastern Mediterranean dress holds a long pipe in her henna-covered hands, while her feet are protected from bath moisture by traditional Turkish shoes. A young boy is seen next to a woman with a bowl equipped with soap and a comb.

Prepared and arranged by: Narges Sahib Ekhtiari