Madame A. Aughié, Friend of Queen Marie Antoinette, as a Dairymaid in the Royal Dairy at Trianon Adolf Ulrik Wertmüller (1751-1811)

The composition presents a woman posed within what appears to be a rustic interior setting. She is positioned centrally, facing forward with a direct gaze towards the viewer. Her expression is one of composed serenity, bordering on placidity, and her posture suggests a deliberate formality despite the ostensibly informal attire.
Here we see she is dressed in a dairymaid’s costume: a white blouse, a red apron tied around her waist, and a simple headscarf adorned with a matching ribbon. The clothing, while suggesting a working-class role, appears meticulously clean and well-maintained, hinting at an intentional staging rather than authentic representation of labor. Her elaborate hairstyle, characteristic of the period, further complicates this impression; it is difficult to reconcile such coiffure with the demands of dairy work.
The artist has placed several objects within the scene that contribute to its narrative. A small pitcher and a shallow dish are held in her hands, seemingly mid-action, though the gesture lacks any sense of urgency or dynamism. In the background, partially obscured by shadow, is what appears to be a table with additional dairy implements. The limited depth of field focuses attention on the woman herself, minimizing distractions from the environment.
The subdued color palette – dominated by whites, reds, and muted browns – contributes to an overall sense of restraint and elegance. Light falls softly upon her face and upper body, highlighting her features while leaving much of the background in shadow. This creates a contrast between the figure and the surrounding space, emphasizing her presence as the focal point.
Subtexts within this depiction are numerous. The deliberate costuming suggests a performance or masquerade rather than an honest portrayal of rural life. It is likely that the scene aims to evoke notions of pastoral innocence and rustic simplicity – themes popular in aristocratic circles during the late 18th century, often employed as a means of distancing oneself from the perceived vulgarity of urban existence. The woman’s direct gaze could be interpreted as an invitation to intimacy or, conversely, as a subtle assertion of social status. Her seemingly effortless engagement with dairy work might also serve as a commentary on the idealized image of rural labor and its connection to notions of virtue and naturalness – a common trope in depictions of aristocratic leisure activities. The overall effect is one of carefully constructed artifice, where the boundaries between reality and representation are deliberately blurred.