Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres – Joséphine-Éléonore-Marie-Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Béarn (1825–1860), Princesse de Broglie Metropolitan Museum: part 4

The painting depicts a woman, Princess Pauline de Broglie, seated in a plush blue armchair. She is adorned in a luxurious, voluminous blue silk gown with intricate lace detailing on the sleeves and neckline. Her dark hair is styled up with blue ribbons and subtle veil. She wears elegant jewelry, including pearl earrings, a gold medallion necklace, and multiple bracelets and rings on her arms and hands, suggesting wealth and status. Her pose is relaxed yet refined, with her arms crossed and her gaze directed towards the viewer. The background is dark and sparse, with a blue curtain on the left and a coat of arms on the upper right, further accentuating the richness of her attire and her prominent social standing.
The subtexts of the painting revolve around wealth, social status, and idealized beauty. The opulent fabric and elaborate details of her dress, along with the prominent display of jewelry, serve as clear indicators of her aristocratic background and the privileges that come with it. The serene and composed expression, coupled with the elegant posture, projects an image of refinement, grace, and perhaps a touch of aloofness, all characteristic of portraiture of the era aimed at celebrating and immortalizing the subjects social standing and personal attributes. The inclusion of the coat of arms further reinforces her noble lineage and her established place within society. The overall effect is a powerful visual statement of the princesss elegance and her significant position in 19th-century French society.