Isn't she spectacular! A very unique and also rather large portrait miniature in its time, this one dates late 1700s to possibly 1810, latest. Purchased along with a couple of Austrian or Eastern Europe miniatures for my collection, one notably from Vienna. I do not know for certain her origin. The frame is unusual for France, as well. I digress a bit. She is superb! In her paleness, against the dark ground and upon a very detailed chair of red upholstery. She and her gown both fairly glow, and upon very close inspection, you see the artist was as seduced by the fine detail of her veil and he or she was with the girl's eyes. That graceful hand in gesture before us - I could spend time researching its meaning. I will leave that to you. If you look closely at our very enlarged photos, you'll see there seems to be a super-fine tight hairline crossing part of her face. It does not expand either way beyond her face, oddly - usually a hairline will begin from an outer edge and move along the grain. I point it out because in actual view, in hand, you will be hard-pressed to even see it. The painting, taken out of frame, is backed by a heavy paper backing, perhaps the reason or perhaps the affixing and prevention of the tight fine line's expansion. Note the artist's skill and yet, alas, the lack of signature. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, with an interesting gilded and painted wood frame unlike most from France in this era. I've noted the tight hairline already. The original slightly convex cover glass is without any damage or flaw and is very clean. Oh, just look at the color this artist has put into her skin and her white gown, and I've simply called it 'white'. Truly a fine work of art. I'm disbursing a lifetime's collection - the passion I've enjoyed of art and history. More to come. Come back!
