Original artwork description:

In this work from the En majesté series, Nicolas Maureau transposes Diane de Poitiers into a contemporary universe, mixing power and fragility.
Dressed in a black suit embroidered with silver thread, she sits on a stump covered in moss, between nature and domination. His determined, almost impassive look contrasts with the owl lying at his feet, symbol of a threat or an affront. In one hand, she gestures to the bird, in the other, she firmly grips a modern weapon, asserting her position in the face of adversity.
Maureau plays here with the codes of court portraiture, diverting the historical figure to question power relations and femininity in a position of authority.
Between homage and criticism, this painting questions the place of great figures in our collective imagination.

Materials used:

oil painting

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