During Napoleon's Empire expansion, these 2 lived and had their portraits done. Artist signature on each one, Antoinette Bonnet, dated 1814 on the daughter and 1815 on the father, this is a related pair and will be sold as a pair just as you see them. The father is exquisite, really, with his unique short-cropped crown and thick side pompom hair. The hand-written notations on back, as well as I can read it, says, "Portrait of Mr Gondamin, father of the little mother, Julie Antoinette Gondamin. I, the gift to Julie, my daughter, ____ for what she prays ____, C. Moras, born Hermis__, Toulouse, 25 February, 1815". The other backing adds the name "Clotilde" to the artist. One might research the history of the father and daughter. I could not find any artist reference for Antoinette Bonnet, sadly. I did not search the Gondamin family from Toulouse, however. The pair of portraits are so interesting, and must have been such treasures in their time. Remember, no photography until after 1838, so a painting or a sketch might be the only likeness to remain of an entire lifetime lived. It's always a little sad to me when precious family heirlooms run out of family, or become so anonymously remote as to have no value to later generations. I found these 2 in France. I am a rescue worker, of sorts.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Beautifully crafted portraits, both. Still well-preserved in their original frames, convex cover glass in place. They do not show much abrasions to the frames, though they are over 200 years old, so we know they were long cherished. Larger diameter portraits than usual, for the era, and each is signed by artist, dated in her hand. Full measurements noted on the photos.
