威廉‧亞杜夫‧布葛赫（William Adolphe Bouguereau, 1825-1905）是十九世紀法國學院派的重要畫家。其題材主要以宗教、文學和肖像為主，作品強調精確的構圖、細節和明亮的用色與平和、恬靜的畫風。本畫是布葛赫於1865年完成的肖像畫作品。畫中的女士是巴多洛尼夫人（Marie Therese Bartholoni, 1833-1910），曾是尤金妮皇后（Empress Eugénie de Montijo, 1826-1920）的宮女，並與因皇后交情甚篤，所以經常出席各大宴會，是當時上流社會中相當有影響力的女子。

畫面中央的巴多洛尼夫人側頭正對觀者，凝視著前方的雙眼彷彿正與觀眾對望，微側的身軀朝向畫面左側的壁爐。其髮線中分並在右側留下些許卷髮的造型流行於十九世紀，強調女子頸、胸、肩線的低胸露肩禮服亦為當時常見的服飾類型。由黑色的亮面綢緞製成的禮服，不但剪裁簡樸、優雅，亦襯托出她白皙的肌膚。禮服上半身由層層的黑色蕾絲交疊而成，領口處更綴有白色蕾絲摺邊強調女子的豐腴之美。由黃金和紫水晶材質構成的耳環與胸前墜飾，在夫人深褐色頭髮與黑色禮服的配搭下，呈現出一種低調的華麗。夫人雙手中垂落的披巾，以金色為主並伴有紅、綠、橘等鮮豔的色調與華麗的花紋，除再次凸顯這位女士富裕的身家背景，也與黑色的禮服形成對比而烘托出富麗華貴之氣。

背景中的廳房皆由鑲有金邊的紅色和象牙白壁板構成，畫面左側壁爐上飾有金邊的灰色瓷器、具有雕刻裝飾的木製壁爐架（mantel）和金色爐柵（grate）等皆凸顯此作的奢華之感。整件作品通過華麗的空間和女士安靜的神情與姿態呈現出貴氣、端莊的氛圍，但壁爐前、正仰頭望著女士的紅褐色小狗另為畫面帶來一股俏皮的氣息。(徐鈺涵)

William Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) was an important French Academicism artist from the 19th century. The major thematic materials he employed were religion, literature and portraits. This work is a portrait painting completed by Bouguereau in 1865. The lady in the image is Marie Therese Bartholoni (1833-1910). She was a lady-in-waiting to Empress Eugénie de Montijo (1826–1920). As she had a close friendship with the Empress, she was often present at important balls and banquets and held much influence in upper class society of the time.

In the image, Marie Therese Bartholoni is turning her head toward the viewer and facing forward. Her slightly tilted body is facing towards the fireplace at the left of the scene. Her hair is parted in the middle with curls flowing down on the right. The ball gown she is wearing emphasizes the neck, bust and shoulder lines. It is also a reflection of the fashion at the time. The ball gown is made from shimmering black brocade. The tailoring is simple yet elegant to complement her pale flawless skin. The bodice of the gown is composed of layers of black lace, while white lace folds in the collar emphasize the woman’s full figure. The earrings and pendant made from gold and amethyst present an understated grandeur along with the dark brown hair and black ball gown. The scarf draped over her arms is gold with vibrant colors and patterns. Again, this emphasizes the wealthy background of the lady and also forms a contrast to the black ball gown, enhancing the atmosphere of opulence.

The sitting room in the background is constructed of gold-gilded red and ivory white paneling. Above the fireplace at the left of the scene there is a gray ceramic vase with gold-edges. The wooden mantel is decorated with carvings, along with a golden grate heightening the air of sumptuousness. Through the resplendent setting and the tranquil expression and posture of the lady, the overall atmosphere is stately and serene. Yet the little dog in front of the fireplace brings a sense of vitality to the image. (Yu Han HSU)