A really beautiful portrait miniature, watercolor and gouache on wafer, representing the original painting, "Portrait of a Lady", from the famous artwork by French artist, Cécile Villeneuve (1824-1901). The original artist was also a miniaturist, so it's possible this copy was painted for a family member or similarly interested person. This miniature dates mid to late 1800s and is signed "L. Laboureau d'après C. Villeneuve". It also could have been painted by this artist to be sold as a tourist souvenir, like many of the miniature paintings done in that era, souvenirs of Grand Tour travelers who admired the artworks in museums as they traveled. I did try to find this original painting and was not successful with a cursory search, but did find others by Villeneuve. Measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent for age and type. The painting is perfectly preserved beneath the slightly convex original cover glass. The wooden frame is in very good condition for age, with a few imperfections. Photos show all. A real beauty, blond hair and soulful brown eyes.
