Le Billet doux

Nicolas Delaunay after Nicolas Lavreince

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts three individuals in an ornate room. In the center, a man is slightly bent forward, holding the hand of a seated woman on the right. The man has curly, shoulder-length hair tied back and is dressed in a period-style coat, waistcoat, knee breeches, and shoes with buckles. The seated woman has a braided updo adorned with feathers, wearing an elaborately decorated gown among musical instruments. The third individual, another seated woman on the left, is reading a document. She wears a similar period gown with elaborate detail and styled hair. The room features classical architectural elements, such as grand columns and arches, with a highly decorative wall, sconces, and relief sculptures. An elaborate coat of arms flanked by lions is visible in the foreground.