This painting was painted by Elisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun, one of late-eighteenth century France’s most successful portrait painters. Vigée-Le Brun was interested in fashion and painted clothing with great detail to show her sitters’ wealth and elegance. She often selected their costumes—choosing garments of shimmering silks, iridescent taffetas, delicate lace, and gold trim. She also designed imaginative headdresses—such as the ones worn by the women here—inspired by turbans from the Near East. On view in the West Building, Gallery 56. http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=50215

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