Miss Anne Gore as a Savoyarde Johann Zoffany (1733-1810)

The composition presents a young woman in what appears to be a pastoral setting. She is positioned centrally within the frame, her gaze directed towards the viewer with a composed and slightly melancholic expression. Her attire suggests a deliberate costuming; she wears a dress of muted pinks and blues, accented by a white fichu delicately draped around her shoulders. The hairstyle, high and elaborately styled with cascading curls, is characteristic of late 18th-century fashion.
The woman holds what seems to be an instrument – a stringed musical device – in her arms, its dark tones contrasting sharply with the lightness of her dress. This object appears less as a functional tool and more as a prop, contributing to the overall theatricality of the scene. A small dog sits at her feet, adding a touch of domesticity and further reinforcing the idealized rural setting.
The background is rendered in soft, atmospheric colors – greens, browns, and hints of pink – suggesting a mountainous landscape shrouded in twilight or early morning mist. The foliage on the left side of the painting is dense and somewhat overgrown, while the right side reveals a distant horizon line. This contrast creates depth within the scene and draws attention to the figure’s placement within it.
Subtleties within the work hint at layers of meaning beyond a simple portrait. The Savoyarde costume – a regional dress from Savoy – implies an interest in exoticism or romanticized notions of rural life, common themes during this period. It is likely that the woman isnt actually from Savoy but adopts its attire as part of a performance or persona. The musical instrument could symbolize refinement and artistic sensibility, qualities often associated with aristocratic women.
The overall effect is one of carefully constructed artifice – a staged encounter designed to evoke feelings of nostalgia, sentimentality, and perhaps even a subtle critique of societal expectations surrounding femininity and leisure. The woman’s expression, while seemingly serene, carries an undercurrent of introspection that invites the viewer to consider her role within this meticulously crafted tableau.