''Après moi, le déluge''

20 x 22, oil/canvas, 2010

This painting has been inspired by  Sophie Wilson, a graphics student from England.  Her engaging self portrait photos  have a whimsical quality whose spirit I wanted to capture in this painting. A graphite study of Sophie was posted earlier this summer. 

The famous expression, ''Après moi, le déluge'', (After me, the deluge) which is most often attributed to Louis XV is apparently more likely to have been said by his mistress Madame de Pompadour, while having her portrait painted by Quentin de la Tour in 1757. *  What a splendid historical anecdote to underscore the intentions of this painting!

*References:
Tradición Clásica 
Grasping Reality with Both Hands 
Liberté