17th Century Miniature Portrait

17th century miniature portrait painted in gouache depicting Pierre de Becdelièvre who held high positions. He is shown seated with one arm resting on an armrest and one hand holding a wax-sealed letter. Her serious face with pensive eyes is framed by a long curly brown wig and we also notice the delicacy of her hands. He wears his lawyer's outfit with dignity: black dress decorated with a tulle bib which allows the black of his dress to appear through transparency, this one covered with a scarlet red coat decorated with 3 rows of ermine on the sleeve. The wall behind him is covered with a tapestry with blue patterns on a beige background which brings a less solemn note to the miniature; on it, at the top left are 2 small crests. The painter was able to accurately render the presence and dignity of the character inherent to his functions while painting a realistic portrait of the man's physiognomy. On the reverse is written in pen his biography which traces the importance of his titles and the functions held: Knight, Marquis de Quevilly and d'Hocqueville, Baron de Cugny and d'Archigny First president of the Court of Aides of Normandy, Founder of the Discalced Carmelites of Rouen. He married Madeleine de Moy in 1637. The miniature is in a black lacquered wooden frame. 8.5 X 7cm With its frame: 11.1 X 9.6cm Good condition.