A Lady in Her Bath
c. 1571
Peeking through heavy crimson velvet curtains, a serene, bare-chested woman gazes directly at us while soaking in her bath, completely unfazed by the bustling domestic scene around her. To her left, a wet nurse cheerfully breastfeeds an infant, while a curious toddler peers over the tub's edge and a maid hauls water in the background. Painted by François Clouet during the French Renaissance, this intimate portrait is widely believed to depict Diane de Poitiers, the powerful and glamorous mistress of King Henry II. The bowl of fruit and scattered herbs in the foreground aren't just decorative—they were likely symbols of fertility and health, adding a layer of secret meaning to this surprisingly modern-looking snapshot of 16th-century royal life.
Location: National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.