Early 19th Century French Miniature Portrait of a Young Lady

Description

View Early 19th Century French Miniature Portrait of a Young Lady with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. It hardly needs to be said that the advent of photography in the mid-19th century led to the decline in interest in portrait miniatures. The signature is on the right side of this portrait, “Drousai.”. The history of miniature portraits as we know them goes back to the 16th century, when European royalty would have artists paint their portraits on various documents and correspondence as a kind of signature. We can only assume that some of these were cut out and framed so they could be enjoyed on their own. It is said that Elizabeth I sometimes wore portrait miniatures on her costumes, and Charles I had miniatures done of his favorite paintings so that he would have them on his travels. The heyday of portrait miniatures is usually thought of as most of the 18th century, when specialists painted for the wealthy elite, especially in London, Bath and Dublin. Miniatures became especially popular with soldiers and sailors who wished to leave their likenesses to the loved ones they left behind. It hardly needs to be said that the advent of photography in the mid-19th century led to the decline in interest in portrait miniatures. However, it is the rarity of good examples from a bygone era that is what makes them so sought after today. This beautiful and charming French portrait of an attractive young lady is wonderfully and finely painted. The artist painted his subject holding a bouquet of flowers and in a risqué, off-the-shoulder gown that is edged in lace. He also showed her in a coquettish (for the time) chapeau. The blue background is an exceptionally pretty shade of French blue. Often in the 19th century, artists sometimes preferred to sign their works with the name of a well-known artist rather than their own. The signature is on the right side of this portrait, “Drousai.” I am of the belief that the artist of this piece made use of this well-known 18th century French miniature portraitist' s name to give it greater importance. Hubert Drousai (1699-1767) was kept rather busy in the court of King Louis XV painting the likenesses of princes and princesses. This portrait was placed in a turned wood frame with a narrow brass filet that holds the old glass in place. The frame has acquired a beautiful, rich chestnut brown color and glowing patina. There is a small, original brass hook affixed to the frame and behind a piece of old newspaper that was glued to the back. The newspaper has some remnants of writing, which is in French. With its coquettish scantily clad young lady, her jaunty hat, a demure look on her face, its beautiful French blue background and handsome, hand-lathed frame, this miniature portrait is a fine example for any collection. The condition is excellent, especially for its age of around 200 years. The frame is in excellent condition as well. It measures 3-5/8 inches in diameter, including the frame. The image itself is 1-¾ inches in diameter. Personal and cashier’s checks also accepted.    Please contact for international shipping rates, as well as to Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories. Perry-Joyce Fine Arts Expertise in 18th and 19th Century Needlework, British Paintings, and 19th Century Decorative Arts with over 40 Years’ Experience Condition: Used. Category: Art › Paintings.

Type

Painting

Original/Licensed Reproduction

Original

Size

Miniature

Theme

Portrait

Subject

Women