A Post of Their Own

“The more I see of Mankind, the more I prefer my dog.” Pascal

Portraits of Three of Madame de Pompadour’s Dogs

detail from Boucher’s 1756 portrait of la Marquise de Pompadour

(Alte Pinakothek, Munich; image source: Wikipedia)

detail from Boucher’s 1759 portrait

(François Boucher Madame de Pompadour 1759 oil on canvas © The Wallace Collection)

Detail of Drouais’ 1763-64 portrait, the last one made of her, completed after her death from cancer, and heartbreaking because the most famous mistress of 18th century taste is so prematurely aged and dumpy. She is determined to smile and say “I’m still here”, and welcome the visitor into her private apartment. The fabric of the dress she wears, and the surrounding furnishings, are stupendous. This isn’t vanity, it’s public relations, and apologia. This is what I believe in, she says. This is what I leave you. I am childless, people are faithless, but the beauty of artifacts, and the love of dogs, are joys for ever.

(National Gallery, image source: WGA)

“The more I see of Mankind, the more I prefer my dog.” Pascal