The red sash and her short-cropped "Titan" or "guillotine" hairstyle, brushed foward, are each iconographic as a Royalist's protest portrait after the French Revolution. The painting would date c.1790s to 1805, and most likely this young beauty is from the c.1795-99 youthful protestor movement referred to as the Incroyable et Merveilleuses (Incredible and marvelous) a fashion protest movement which had the young noble women in cropped hair and draped in red, representing the beheadings of the French Revolution era "The Terror". The youth might well have still been in exile, but many were in Paris. The young noblemen of the protest movement particularly notable for bright colors, outlandish high fashion short coats, bright or embroidered vests and a super-thick cravat which was their representation of bandages holding a severed head to its body. The 3" diameter frame has a thin 18k plaque as front-piece, attached to brass backing, another indication of the era's fashion for these kids. I've long collected the paintings of these brave, wealthy Royalist young people. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. I did not open the back since cover glass is perfectly preserved and clear of dust within. All photos are taken through the convex cover glass and so you'll note some glares from photo lighting. There are no flaws to this painting. Typical of c.1700s portraits, the wafer is very slightly smaller than the frame, you can see the natural edge upon very close inspection. I do not see a signature.
