Impossibly tiny, the work of art you see here in its original frame and under original convex cover glass is of Napoleon leading his army, atop his famous white horse, Marengo. Those faces are 1/8", and the overall outer frame is just 3.5" x 2.75" plus the bale, and is a charming antique in its own right. Landscape miniatures are more rare than portraits, and particularly scenes like this. A fascinating art, miniatures. I feel certain I have seen a large original painting in this exact form, after which this miniature would have been painted, but I can't remember or locate its original artist and perhaps it simply takes from several. This would have been an early to mid-1800s souvenir miniature, not likely one done during Napoleon's reign, although many were created during his years and Napoleon was known to be superbly adept at propaganda, leaving little paintings like this throughout the countryside with crowds. Josephine did as well, so it may well be contemporary Napoleonic era. Found in France, in my longtime collections being disbursed now.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. There are really no flaws at all to disclose apart from the stain of an old tag or tax stamp on the silk backing. The old original slightly convex cover glass is undamaged and there are no flaws to the old painting, which is gouache on wafer. Frame remains in fine form as does the hanging bale. A fabulous miniature!
