An elegant pose and an outdoor setting for this c.1800-1810 painting, the blond and blue-gray eyed young woman in 3/4 sidelong pose tells us she is a Royalist. The typical and political wrap of red draped ties her to the losses of the guillotine during The Terror, French Revolution era. Possibly string out the decades in exile as so many were, her face shows defiance and confidence, at once. While I have not opened this little painting to see if by chance an ID or an artist's signature can be found within, sealed as it is, I admire this painting more than many others. Pale palette and in the finest light wash, no room for mistakes, it represents the work of a very experienced and talented miniaturist, indeed. And with a face just 1/2" from chin to hairline, the exquisite detail captured is truly amazing. A small graceful hand clasps the red shawl, and also leads the eye to both her bosom and her face. Bold bodice of her time, it is not one that would fall into the 'naughty' category at all. She is in a political, not a sexual portrayal here. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. Original carved wood frame is without damage other than a little loss of the gilded finish, and it holds the little painting and its convex cover glass perfectly, no warp, no chips. The painting is a little masterpiece. That we can enlarge this painting to the degree we have underlines the talent of the artist. The wafer is flat and one can see that it has no hairlines or cracks, no chips, but a little natural shrinkage shows it just shy of the outer edges of the aperture.
