Incroyable et Merveilleuses - The very elegant young gentleman, c.1795 - 1799 is exquisitely captured by the artist, and while he/she has signed the work, I have no further information on this artist "Natal". 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 3/4" from chin to hairline. That high collar double-breasted overcoat and the overly thick neck-wrap (mimic of the bandages one would need to restore a guillotined head) and a Titus (guillotine) haircut. It's certain he was 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. His coat, were we able to see it, will prove to be a cropped or slightly short of waistline coat, possibly with long tails. He is bold and spoiled and young, and wears the direct defiant gaze of those long gone French fasion-activists. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, a portrait in gouache on thin wafer, typical, this one is small and that handsome defiant face is just 3/4" from chin to hairline. There are no chips or breaks, no hairlines. That is a drapery to the right side with a tieback, it is not a flaw. Artist signature is in lower left corner as he faces us in the photos. The frame presents with original silk velvet back and the type of Empire era portrait miniature pin/wreath top additions which are rare to find, and allowed one to hang the painting on drapery or on a padded framed and ribboned 'aide d'memoire' of small treasures.
