Fantastic antique French portrait miniature style painting, an elegant woman, likely Madame de Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV, in an interior setting with desk, books and likely a profile portrait of Louis XV hanging on the wall behind her. Now, we can't be certain that this is Mme Pompadour but that would be my guess. The style of the furniture and is just like what you would see at Versailles and the woman is definitely a beauty. Set in a beautiful gilt bronze bow top frame with easel stand or wire for wall display.
The future Marquise de Pompadour, Jeanne Antoinette Lenormant d’Etiolles, born Poisson, met Louis XV at Versailles in 1745. She was invited to the great masked ball held to celebrate the marriage of the Dauphin Louis Ferdinand. The King was smitten with her and brought her to the Palace of Versailles that same year, providing her with an apartment just above his own. A secret staircase allowed the monarch to access his mistress's apartment without being seen. In July he presented her with the Pompadour Estate and made her a Marquise, officially presenting her to the Court in September 1745.
Very good condition. A large 'miniature painting and it's in fabulous shape with no loss or fading, signed in the lower left corner. The frame is not original to the painting but works beautifully. The easel on the back is a replacement and there is a brass wire attached for wall display. See pictures for all measurements.
