In August 1787, when it was due to be exhibited publically in the Painting Salon (an annual exhibition of paintings in the Louvre on 25 August, feast day of Saint Louis), the reputation of Marie-Antoinette was so bad that the portraitist did not dare send it. She feared that the public would attack the Queen's image. The empty space inspired the famous quip "Here's the Deficit!" It was only when the administration insisted that the painting was delivered. The critics were divided: some praised "the softness of the flesh tones" and the quality of the draperies, while others thought the composition was not very successful because the portraitist was not at ease in such a large format.
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