A charming young teenager, captured in portrait around c.1810-20, possibly her first. She has the distracted stare of a girl maneuvering puberty, and wears red coral and seed pearl jewelry. Perhaps she has turned 15, perhaps younger. It was thought that red coral had protective qualities, particularly for the virtue of young women. Something about the broken frozen blood of Medusa, as the story goes. Her pale pink Empire waist gown has modesty in mind, as well. Nicely preserved in the original frame and mat, you can see from our photos the artist has backed her face, neck with a foil of copper, which would be there to reflect light back up through the wafer, and she does have a glow about her as a result. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent, a charming little painting. When we can enlarge on oof these tiny portraits to the size we do for a listing, and the portrait still conveys the charm, you know you have an excellent artist, though this one has not signed the work. Convex cover glass, no damage to report. Age to the frame, which is quite normal.
