Our magnificent little work of art is a late 1700s to mid-1800s Grand Tour souvenir painting after Portrait of the Antwerp Merchant Sebastiaen Leerse and his Family, by Dutch painter, Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641). Toward the end of our photos is a panel showing van Dyck's work of art which is large, and our artist's rendition of that painting, which is very small. Our artist has only left initials in signature, but also a truly incredible work of miniature art. Those faces are just 3/4" from chin to hairline. We've blown them up to full frame so you can see the personality and detail the artist was capable of putting into such a small space. Look at the delicacy of the brocade vest the wife wears, and the lace of their collars, the beauty of the hands clasping, and the detail of the jewelry. A truly astounding miniature painting, the Northern European tradition of setting a landscape in the distance. Every fine detail. Possibly the very finest of its type I've ever owned. Measurements are noted on the photos. A lovely heavy bronze frame, as well, and convex cover glass - top quality and a museum worthy painting in its own right. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Earliest 1800s, I find nothing by way of a flaw to note. Large wafer, entirely hand painted in gouache, which is technically more difficult than the oil painting of the original larger work of art after which it is done. You see in the greatly enlarged portraits, at least as elegant as van Dyck's Masterpiece. The miniature is about 200 years old, as well, and a museum piece in its own right. The original convex cover glass and frame have kept this painting perfect through all that time. I did not choose to open it up and remove the painting, so photos have been done through the thick convex glass, resulting in a slight glare or distortion, possibly.
