"My grandmother, paternal, Countess of Montenay, with my father", Daughter of the Marquise of (?Sourdevielt)" - the English translation of the handwritten notation on the back of the old frame. French Empire, Napoleonic era, not later than 1815, but without signature. With some research one could locate the pair and likely some of their story, since titled nobility in France is easiest of all to find. A charming maternal portrait, very happy with the birth of a son and heir to the title, quite unique pose with nothing but a blue ribbon covering his claim to the title of his father. A blond baby with blue eyes. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. In the French school (manner), and of the era "First Empire", it remains as a bit of a birth announcement, or claim to future title. There are no chips nor cracks to the wafer. Initially one might think it has losses of paint, but if you look closely you will recognize a dark background of foliage and a thick tree trunk - posed outdoors, the little spots of light are the between the leaves. Had I taken the rectangular mount out of the frame (difficult, sorry) and tested it, I am certain it has a karat gold facing plaque, (not gold plating) adhered to the brass backing with tabs for mounting. Glass on this one is flat. The painting is backed by a foil so light is reflected back up through the painting's thin wafer. There is a metal backing, painted read and held in place with tiny nails, then the green backing is also held in place with tiny nails. I suspect the gold mount was the complete frame in its time, and that it was mounted to the larger wood panel a generation or 2 later. Painting is over 200 years old.
