Every year Labors of Love releases a limited edition piece, Each designed and hand painted by JP Sligh, including the sculpted elements that get wired on to the canvas after the stitching is complete. For 2015 the subject is Madame Pompadour, of particular interest to francophiles. Very interesting woman of her time, more below taken from Wikipedia; read on if you enjoy history. Canvas is 8 7/8″ x 13 3/8″. To purchase or learn more click here or any of the canvas pictures.
Madame Pompadour by Boucher c. 1755
Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour, also known asMadame de Pompadour (29 December 1721 – 15 April 1764, was a member of the French court and was the officialchief mistress of Louis XV from 1745 to her death. She was trained from childhood to be a mistress, and learned her trade well. She took charge of the king’s schedule and was a valued aide and advisor, despite her frail health and many political enemies. She secured titles of nobility for herself and her relatives, and built a network of clients and supporters. She was particularly careful not to alienate the Queen, Marie Leszczyńska. She was a major patron of architecture and decorative arts such as porcelain. She was a patron of the philosophes of theEnlightenment, including Voltaire. Hostile critics at the time generally tarred her as a malevolent political influence, but historians are more favourable, emphasizing her successes as a patron of the arts and a champion of French pride.
Madame Pompadour by Boucher, 1756.
Current collection of Alte Pinakothek.
To date these limited edition pieces have always sold out. At the time of this post only three remain available.