Exceptionally fine miniature painting, French Empire, Napoleonic era, c.1800-1830 I wish miniaturists had signed their work with more regularity, as this one surely has left an important body of work and yet disappeared into obscurity. This gentleman's head is 3/4" chin to top of his head, and yet look how stunning and fine he is enlarged on your screen. How did these artists achieve that in a water-based paint on fragile wafer. If you touch them, the paint rubs off easily. Don't get it wet. The cover glass is all that stands between this visual memory of this man's existence, and obscurity. The fragile nature of the portrait miniature is surely part of its fascination, isn't it. That and the astounding work of these artists. We do not know his name, sitter nor artist. But we can see a proud and accomplished gentleman, a sure clear meeting of the eyes. The frame is original to this one, surviving still from French Empire to Louis-Philippe times. Measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Not a flaw to note on that wafer, painted in gouache (water paints, essentially) The old frame shows a replaced panel from back, but I put it back together just as I found it. The frame is 2 3/4" x 2 1/8" oval, and the painting is 2 7/8" x 2 1/8", and has a convex (original) cover glass. Display with hanging loop. Each remains. Could be worn as a pendant, too.
