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Experience some of the most sumptuous paintings ever made when the Portland Art Museum and Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours, bring La volupté du goût: French Painting in the Age of Madame de Pompadour to Portland for its exclusive U.S. presentation.

From the time she attained the envied position of official mistress to Louis XV in 1745 until her death in 1764, Madame de Pompadour was one of the most celebrated and active patrons of the arts. La volupté du gout (voluptuous taste), comprised of paintings created by 24 of the era's most important artists patronized by Pompadour during an age that witnessed the birth of a public discourse in aesthetics and art criticism, reveals her legacy as the royal tastemaker of the time.

Gathered from 22 international lenders, the works in this exhibition define an era of French peace, prosperity, and aesthetic pleasure for French society through scenes of mythology, literature, religion, landscapes and portraiture.

A full-color illustrated catalogue with contributions by the French and American curators, as well as international scholars Alden Gordon, Christian Michel, Etienne Jollet, will accompany the exhibition and be available for purchase in the Museum Shop.

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Curated by Philippe Le Leyzour, Director, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours, and Penelope Hunter-Stiebel, Consulting Curator of European Art, Portland Art Museum. This exhibition has received major organizational support from FRAME (French Regional and American Museum Exchange).

Major support for this exhibition provided by the French Regional and American Museum Exchange, Andrée Stevens, Ernest C. Swigert, Nancie S. McGraw, the Martin Kelley Endowment Fund, and Lufthansa. Exhibition Series Sponsors are Fred Meyer Stores, Bernard B. Kliks Trust, Anne M. Barbey, L.T. Murray Family Foundation, Pat and Trudy Ritz, Schnitzer Novack Foundation, The Standard, NW Natural, Vibrant Table Catering & Events, and an anonymous donor.