"Countess Golovin" by Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun
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Copyright held by The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
This charming portrait needs no background detail to come alive for the viewer. The Countess with her full red lips curved into a smile holds our eyes. Her cuddling with the warm red shawl trimmed with gold ribbon and embroidery adds to our sense of intimacy with this woman of rank. This is not a portrait that impresses one with wealth and title; rather we feel let into the private life of the Countess. She is dressed warmly and comfortably with no jewels. Her headdress is a loose turban made of a scarf, suggesting a casual and comfortable look.