A superb but unsigned mid-1700s portrait of a very beautiful woman with astounding detail. This is a tiny painting, in a small and early wood frame (measurements noted on our photos). Surely someone contemporary to Louis XV or XVI, latest, a pre-French Revolutionary person of account, the confidence showing in his every feature. I purchased her along with a stunningly handsome gentleman in similar frame, shown in the final group photo on this listing. She must certainly have been his wife, lover, sister. However, variations in size offers me the decision to sell the two separately. Please look for both if you wish to have the pair. No identification on either one, but exceptional miniatures.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Moving toward 300 years for this one. You see a tiny few specs of dust, very light surface loss to the gouache on the old miniature The cover glass on this very tiny painting is not just convex, it is thick and made like a magnifying glass, the better to see her beauty. I've tried to show it. The backing on this one was not sealed, and so you see how it is made, and that there are no signatures on the rim. That exceptionally beautiful young face is just 1/2" from chin to hairline - exquisite miniature!
