As I've said, there are basically 2 types of portrait miniatures: 1. a living person who sat for their portrait in real life, and 2. those done "après" famous works of art in the museums, fueled by the souvenir hungry Grand Tour travelers. This is one of the 2nd group, painted "après", or after (copied) from the work of a famous artist and sold as special souvenirs of Grand Tour museum visits. The one you see here is a charming rendition after the painting by Boucher, a leader in the c.1700s French Romantic Era movement and period, whose work is appreciated still today in many museums, notably the Louvre. Courtship scene, this one is charming in that the guardian grandfather or aging father has fallen asleep and left the young beauty at the mercy of her affections for the (surely not worthy) young man. Musical instruments laid aside, and her attention is won. Fortunate statuary in the charming garden scene looks down with pleasure - Cupids do! The frame is a very nice 19th century one, quite heavy considering the filagree work. It has half pearls worked as gems around the perimeter. I'm sure they are the old French faux pearls and not real. An easel back and handing loop for versatility. C.1840-70 age range.
Very good to excellent condition throughout for age and type. There simply are no flaws to note. Frame is wonderful. Painting is a very pleasing copy as these souvenir ones go. Entirely hand painted in gouache on wafer, typical of the period. The artist was of fine talent and the feel of the French Romantic Era is well-captured in this one. Measurements are noted on the photos.
