Pierre Gaubert – Portrait of Marie-Adélaïde de Savoie, Duchesse de Bourgogne, Shown in her Hunting Costume near the Grand Canal of Fontainebleau Château de Versailles

The composition presents a young woman positioned within a meticulously rendered landscape. She stands in a slightly turned pose, her right hand extended as if acknowledging or greeting someone beyond the frames edge. Her attire is striking: a vibrant red coat with elaborate gold embroidery and a flowing skirt that pools around her feet. A black feathered hat is held in her left hand, adding to the overall impression of aristocratic elegance and leisure.
The setting appears to be a formal garden, specifically near a long, straight canal – likely an artificial feature within a grand estate. The perspective emphasizes the canals length, receding into the distance where it meets a hazy horizon populated with indistinct figures engaged in what seems to be hunting activity. A stone balustrade and a sculpted sphinx flank the woman on her left, reinforcing the sense of controlled grandeur and classical influence. At her feet sits a small dog, seemingly attentive to its mistress.
The color palette is dominated by the intense red of the coat, contrasted against the muted greens and browns of the landscape. The artist’s use of light highlights the textures of the fabric and the womans skin, while also creating a sense of depth within the scene.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of a portrait, several subtexts emerge. The hunting costume suggests an active role for women in aristocratic society – a departure from more traditional portrayals of female passivity. The expansive landscape implies wealth, power, and access to privileged spaces. The sphinx, a symbol of wisdom and mystery, subtly elevates the subjects status beyond mere physical beauty or social standing. The distant hunting party hints at the woman’s connection to courtly life and potentially her own involvement in political affairs – though this is presented indirectly through the activity of others. Overall, the painting conveys an image of youthful vitality, aristocratic privilege, and a carefully constructed persona designed to project both elegance and authority.