The girl carries a tray with a porcelain chocolate cup of the trembleuse type, on a "galleried" silver saucer, and a glass of water.

On 3 February 1745 the Italian writer and art collector Francesco Algarotti purchased the painting directly from Liotard in Venice.

It shows a young German chambermaid in profile, carrying a tray with a glass of water and a cup of chocolate.

It is painted in half-tones with imperceptible graduations of light and with a perfect modelling...and although it is a European picture it could appeal to the Chinese who, as you know, are sworn enemies of shadows.

[5] The delicate pastel managed to survive the cold and damp there and was brought back to Dresden after the Germans retreated from advancing Soviet troops.

[6] Around 1900, La Belle Chocolatière served as inspiration for the commercial illustration of the "nurse" that appeared on Droste's cocoa tins.