Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI still had their crowns and their heads when this beautiful young woman sat for her portrait. But already the Nation was in turmoil. A vast separation of haves and have nots, people hungry and dying in the streets and yet no spare of opulence and elegance at the palaces and grand chateaux. And, while you can't tell a book by its cover, true, there are indications we can read in this girl's portrait which would indicate it was a painting done for her lover or 'benefactor'. Trysting was in favor, and love rarely was found in a marriage, and many many fine gentlemen had their mistress or mistresses. The casual disarray of her gown, showing her nightgown beneath and her long hair flowing and draped across her neckline - those are typical parts of intimacy the French wanted in the image of their mistress/love. Most often, a bit more daring with a breast showing. Which makes me think this young girl was a bit shy, still. Isn't she just lovely! Slightly more and she would classify as a 'naughty', yet her demure innocence still intact, she looks away from her artist's gaze. Still young.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Again, unsigned, but we can date her within 5 years by the fashion and hairstyle, and customs of portraiture. A strawberry blond with blue eyes, powdered hair, one wonders where she fit into history. Framed in the typical wood outer frame, a brass mat and convex cover glass, all of which have survived well. No chips, warp nor hairlines to the old painting, done in gouache on thin wafer. The back is sealed so all of her photos are through the convex cover, a little glare showing here or there - unavoidable. The measurements are noted on our photos.
