Popular historical figures were painted a century later and made wonderful Grand Tour souvenirs for wealthy travelers. This would have been one of those, c.1840-70. A large portrait, signed to the right, "S. Drinot", this is likely a stylized image of Mme Lamballe or perhaps Pompidou. Big hair, powdered, and a low bodice of the 1750s fashion of high Courtiers of France, she represents an entire era. She would have been a fine treasure, and just the heavy bronze easel-back frame she's in is valuable in its own right as a French antique. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The painted wafer is, as noted, larger than most and is painted in gouache. Painting is housed perfectly beneath the original convex cover glass and only the old velvet mat seems tired, having lost most of its silk nap. People often take these apart and strip the old fabric from the wood mat, leaving a beautiful old wood mat with bronze trim and frame. Easel back and hanging loop are both fully intact. Photos show measurements and also how to open the frame.
