La Consolation de l'absence

Nicolas Delaunay after Nicolas Lavreince

National Gallery of Art

This print shows a woman sitting on a cushioned settee in an ornate room. She extends her one arm outward, holding a small round object that seems to feature a small portrait of a man. She is looking towards this portrait. The woman has pale skin and light-colored hair in an elaborate hairstyle that features lace and feathers. She is wearing an elegant gown with a low, lacy neckline, a fitted bodice, and a wide, flowing skirt. The room is richly decorated with detailed wall coverings and a large, framed picture of a cherub on the wall. The cherub is positioned above her, and it appears to point an arrow directly at the woman. On the left, a small round table near the woman holds a tea set and some other objects, and a small dog stands beside it, looking to the left. On the left is a shelf supporting a large decorative vase and a statue below a large, ornate mirror, while on the right is a large, draped curtain and a chair with a musical instrument on it. This central image is surrounded by a border, and below it are several lines of text.