Jean-Etienne Liotard

Originating in 16th century Italy, pastel reached its pinnacle two centuries later with the works of Carriera, La Tour and Liotard.This Swiss-born portraitist travelled extensively throughout Europe and his polished style, a synthesis of decorative French rococo and 17th century Dutch realism, brought him great success.

The gallery holds an 18th century copy of La Bell Chocolatiere (Girl with Chocolate), by an unknown artist of a larger full-length portrait by Liotard, now on display at the Gemaldegalerie in Dresden.In the original, the plainly yet exquisitely dressed chambermaid is depicted bearing a tray on which are placed a cup of chocolate and glass of water.Its domestic simplicity and atmosphere places it on a par with works by Chardin or even Vermeer.Liotard's contemporaries classed it as his masterpiece.

The label on the reverse of our cropped version states: "Portrait of Charlotte Baldauf.Drawn by Liotard during his stay at the house of Mr Baldauf, banker of Vienna.Charlotte Baldauf became Countess Drietrichstein. From the collection of Lord Tauton (E.Labouchere)".