The young beauty, c.1795 - 1810s is exquisitely captured by the artist, and yet he/she did not sign the work. It amazes me, the personality and fine detail the miniaturists could lay down in the unforgiving gouache on wafer, in such a tiny face. You see every feature clearly even though her face is only 5/8" from chin to hairline. Lace tickles the top of her daring bodice dress, and her kerchief-like hair covering likely holds back most of a Titus haircut. I wonder if she was not one of the political statement fashionistas of the "Incroyables et Marveileuses", c.1795-99. The idle rich young generation of Royalists whose elaborate and sometimes outlandish fashion stood in protest of the beheadings at the guillotine during The Terror of the French Revolution. She has the red flowers, the daring bodice, extra large jewelry, and the direct defiant gaze of those long gone activists.
Very good to excellent throughout. My collection. No damage at all to the superb lathe-turned burled walnut snuff box, and the old convex cover glass remains unscathed. I took her out to inspect what seems like faint hairline rising from bottom, and find a couple of those visible. They're super-faint, visible across her breast, but your naked eye will not see it. Measurements are noted on the photos. Such a beautiful painting on this one - quite unique.