Madame de Pompadour sits elegantly on a sofa, her body turned slightly to the left while her gaze drifts to the right, away from the viewer. She wears a voluminous blue-green gown adorned with rows of pink flowers and delicate lace at the sleeves and neckline. Her hair is styled high and decorated with small blue flowers, and a pink ribbon encircles her neck.

She holds an open book in her left hand, resting it gently on her lap. The background is framed by heavy golden draperies that fall in folds to the left and right sides of the composition. The light falls softly from the left, illuminating her face, the rich fabrics of her dress, and the details of the furnishings.

François Boucher paints with smooth, fluid brushstrokes that capture the sheen of silk, the softness of ribbon, and the gleam of gilded wood. The composition arranges Madame de Pompadour at the center, surrounded by luxurious objects that testify to her status and taste. A small black dog sits at the lower left corner of the painting, looking up toward Madame de Pompadour with its mouth slightly open and tongue visible.

A large ornate clock topped with a reclining putto and floral garlands is positioned on the mantelpiece in the background above a bookshelf filled with volumes. To the left of the sofa, a rolled-up sheet of paper and a pair of artist’s brushes rest on the parquet floor beside a single pink rose. The soft, diffused light highlights the folds and sheen of her gown while casting subtle shadows on the floor and the underside of the table, enhancing the three-dimensional effect. The scene belongs to the Rococo movement, as noted by the elaborate ornamentation and pastel palette.

Portrait of Madame de Pompadour was created by François Boucher in 1756. The genre is portrait, depicting Madame de Pompadour as a woman with a book.