The " Incroyables et Merveileuses" - 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. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout for age and type, the painting is superb and announces itself as part of one of history's strangest political activist movements - do read more about these young French - " Incroyables et Merveileuses". She is housed in an unusual frame, and I have never taken the backing off to investigate within. I do not see a signature, though she may have one on the covered edge of the wafer. Painting is in gouache on wafer, and there is no damage nor loss. Challenging eyes and bodice, I do love this one. The body of frame is wood with a pressed brass facing. The cover glass has been fully cleaned at some point and that collector sealed the back with oil-dipped paper as you see. Perhaps there are secrets to find within, as is actually quite often the case. But I will leave it to someone else at this point.
