"Jeune Fille Avec Une Singe" (Young Lady with Monkey) by French artist, Maler. Portrait miniature snuff box, 1780. The story being told in symbols is all reference to her current but fleeting state of virginity. The mirror and powder were visual symbols of virginity, as would be the nun-like habit, in contrast to the symbolism of 'de-licing', which word in French is descriptive of the act of ending virginity. Same for the monkey's pose, finger. The opening of her gown and bodice contrasts the purity of the nun's robe.
This is also a fine c.1780 Portrait miniature of a young Comtesse de la Mott, infamous for her role in the Diamond Necklace fraud which turned the public of France more vehemently against Marie-Antoinette, ultimately resulting in her beheading.
To begin: "Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy was born in Fontette in the Aube on January 22 or July 1756, daughter of Jacques de Saint-Rémy (1717-1762) and Marie Jossel (1726-December 1783).
Jacques de Saint-Rémy, a descendant of Henri de Saint-Rémy, royal bastard, is a soldier who lives on expedients and poaching.
Marie Jossel prostitutes herself on occasion, it was said.
Joseph balsamo
Liaison of Louis René Édouard de Rohan-Guémené with Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy
Around 1783, Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy made a trip to Saverne, to join Mme de Boulainvilliers who introduced her to Louis René Édouard de Rohan-Guémené, her friend.
Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy appealed financially to Louis René Édouard de Rohan-Guémené to get out of the misery with which she continued to struggle more or less, then became his mistress.
It is also there that she meets the magus Joseph Balsamo, who calls himself Count of Cagliostro.
He also revolves around Louis René Édouard de Rohan-Guémené by extracting money from him in exchange for alleged miracles." (Histoire de l'Europe - The British Museum copy).
Yes, she's a "naughty", breasts bared. And a naughty person from her history, but a very charming image! You will want to read much about this figure in history. The miniature is mounted on an overly large turned burled wood snuff box, perhaps a later adaptation of the 18th century portrait. Superb subject and fine condition, this one was published in a miniatures reference book by Bernd Pappe (see pages added). The snuff box is 4 3/8" in diameter, a table snuff of oversized proportion, and is 1 1/4" tall. The miniature is 2 3/4" in diameter, very fine and undamaged. The wood snuff has a hairline on the lid, one spot, which has been professionally closed and it tight and firm. Shell-lined, no other flaws notable.
