One of my favorite child's paintings, this one is large at a hair under 5" tall, and is incredibly charming. This young boy, hair recently shorn from his long locks, likely the portrait to commemorate his transition from being Mama's petit bebe to being Papa's jeune fils. The English would refer to him being "in his nickers" or "in his britches", at the same point - when he's fully potty trained, and at about 4-5 years of age. He begins to be seen, taught, referred to as a little man, a man at this point. Now and then I find a portrait done to celebrate that right of passage in a young boy's life. Girls do not have such a transition. Literally, the boys wear the same baby dresses until this age, at which time pants become his daily routine, knickers. This boy is beautiful, and the composition is exceptional. A child with an open picture book, the palette engaging - that red draped backing and his blue outfit. He is perfectly preserved beneath the original convex cover glass, in original brass frame mount. Measurements noted on the photos, 4 7/8" x 3 7/8" oval, quite large as 'miniatures' go.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. The painting on this one is just superb! The wafer is backed with parchment, and in fact on this one I cannot tell if it is painted on the typical wafer or on card. With backing, I can't check for light, grain. It seems like wafer, but I can't guarantee it with this one. Date, c.1830-50. No signature (amazingly) and we do not have any indication of ID. But just look at him! I purchased him from an anonymous estate out of France.
