She's uniquely beautiful in her innocence and youth, this strawberry blond with the wrapped braids and blue hair ribbon. Perhaps 14, she's dressed as a peasant girl, and was likely a servant of the artist. One of my personal favorites in my collections, you see intimate association in this one. By that I mean not only an artist's signature, but I think also the name of the young girl. I've shown them enlarged but I can't decipher either in certainty. Put to a frame she was not painted to fit, the artist has extended her portrait to a backing that will fit. Who would bother, or keep her so long - a beautiful milk maid, or servant? In a face just 1" from chin to hairline, just look at the color! Measurements in full are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. A superb small work of art, saved to a larger wafer and protected for 200 or more years. Photos show her in full, along with the extension of the painting, done by the artist, too. Frame is wood with an ornate gilded brass mat. A little more to the frame type of northeastern Europe. I do not think she is a French artist's work - Flemish, Austria perhaps? If you are able to make out the name, the signature, please email. Thank you.
