I really like this portrait because not only is it stunning at first glance, but once you look over a high definition version, you can see all the small imperfections - stray hair here, minor skin stuff there, and so forth - but it adds to the charm, not detracting from it. The real princess, flaws and all. Does anyone understand what I'm getting at?
I think so. So often photo shop removes all the imperfections and leaves this "perfect" but fake and false person behind. It is almost like it wipes away the humanity of the subject.
With this portrait leaving the stray hairs, skin imperfections and less than perfect appearance leaves Madeleine her humanity. By leaving in the imperfections we are given a portrait of a beautiful woman that we recognize, whether consciously or unconsciously, that we feel we can relate to.