The portrait painter and pastellist Clotilde Juillerat, born Gérard (1806-1904). This pupil of Paul Delaroche exhibited at the Salon from 1833 and until 1861. Until 1839, she exhibited under non-maiden name, Gérard.
A young beauty, perhaps 12-13 years of age, just in that transition from child to woman. She has the most soulful huge brown eyes, elegant arched eyebrows, and lips that would combine very soon to make a stunning woman of her. The pastel sketch, painting, is lightly and so elegantly done, the very talented and confident artist's work, and dated. I will leave it to you. In this era several women were working in pastels, producing works that enliven the D'Orsay Museum collection and many others today. Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, Others, and I feel a kinship between this pastel portrait and their works. Perhaps known to each other, these artists. A simple elegant gilded wood frame and a deep enlarged oval mat creates a stunning vignette of the girl's sketch. She definitely fits with collection displays of portraits in miniature - see sizes and compliments arranged in the final photo for ambiance. Purchased from an anonymous estate, France.
Very good to excellent condition without loss nor flaws to note, really. I did not take her out of her frame so she is photographed through the old laid glass, a few glares showing. The cut beveled and thick mat remains beautiful, though at angle you might see that it is not perfect. Evidence of very slight moisture within at some point, lightest rippling lower left quadrant. Measurements are noted on our photos.
