[3]: 75  Art historians have interpreted the depiction of makeup in the scene along with the many additions and changes to the composition as an exploration of Pompadour's agency in fashioning her own image.

[5] Thus, the portrait, which shows her healthy figure and smooth white skin, is more representative of her past beauty and youth, which had won her the position of being the king's favorite mistress.

While Boucher executed the painting, Madame de Pompadour guided the vision and dictated her own representation as an important and wealthy woman.

[10] The portrayal of Madame de Pompadour applying makeup parallels to Boucher's application of oil paint on the canvas, blurring the lines between the roles of artist and subject.

[10] In one hand, Madame de Pompadour holds a small rectangular tin of rouge, and in the other, she wields a cosmetic brush freshly dipped in the color, poised to apply it to her skin.

[12][13] In the eighteenth century, rouge makeup served as a stark contrast to pale skin, enhancing its whiteness, which was considered a standard of beauty.

[12]: 110  Madame de Pompadour's decision to defy tradition and maintain her extravagant dress and makeup reflects her autonomy in defining her identity, irrespective of societal expectations.

While Madame de Pompadour occupied an important social position, her bold display of French-made rouge can be interpreted as an embrace of French market products during this period and a demonstration of her fashionable tastes.