(Fig.) Typical style of the French School of Fontainebleau - Gabrielle d'Estrees and Her Sister, Anonymous, c. 1594-96, 96x125 cm, Louvre Museum, Paris. In the 16th century, portrait painting was highly valued by royalty and nobility, especially during various festivals and ceremonies (particularly weddings), where it enjoyed a period of popularity. In this Mannerist painting of France,...

The nearly obscene image depicts two noblewomen in their most intimate private life scene: a shot of Gabrielle d'Estrees and her sister bathing together. This subject matter was reportedly well-received at the time. The two sexy sisters sit naked in a large bathtub, their white bodies surrounded by heavy drapes like a theater set. Gabrielle's sister gently pinches her sister's nipple with her left hand, adding a somewhat obscene erotic tone. This gesture is said to metaphorically indicate that Gabrielle is pregnant, as she was the mistress of King Henry IV of France at the time and was about to give birth to an heir for the king. The background features a luxurious living room of a secluded chamber, where a woman sits by the fireplace busy with needlework, rich in symbolism. Unfortunately, Gabrielle died during childbirth in 1599, leaving behind only this bewitching portrait.