The Italian artist who has signed this superb little painting is still elusive. I have found other portraits of equal quality and delicacy which bear the same artist signature. The only Taglianini I can find among listed artists to fit the era (c.1790-1815) is a sculptor of note. Perhaps you'll find out who it is, and perhaps it will be that Italian classical sculptor, just painting his friends. While artists often are very adept at a broad spectrum of creative media, which means it is certainly possible, I can't prove it. Still, a stunning miniature. My gut feeling is that she is c.1795-99 era and part of the wealthy young Parisian Royalists whose protest was more costume and frivolity - the Incroyables et Merveilleuses (incredibles and marvelous). A movement you'll want to learn more about. Almost all I've had are in 18k frames, further evidence of them being the idle youth of Nobles, Royalists. The men are easier to identify with certainty.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The painting is just superb. No flaw to note and quite incredible considering the face is a tiny 5/8" from chin to hairline. The frame acid tests at 18k, is rather thin and delicate and seems likely to have once had another convex glass on the reverse side, which most did. At this point in time, it has just a very old silk velvet covered card backing. I did not take it apart for photos so there is slight distortion through the convex cover glass. My guess is it once had a bale up top, too, and was ready to be either hung or worn as a large pendant. Full measurements noted on the photos.
