Miniature Portrait Of Empress Joséphine De Beauharnais

Saint Daniel (1778 - 1847) attributed to
Joséphine de Beauharnais three-quarter left in red antique dress
Work from the early 19th century
Dimensions: 8 cm x 6.3 cm
Original oval gilt brass frame

This miniature portrait represents Joséphine de Beauharnais, first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and first empress of the French. The miniature captures Joséphine in an elegant pose, dressed in a red antique dress with delicate ornaments, highlighting her serene gaze and noble carriage. Her hair is tied up in a refined bun, a signature of portraits from the Empire period. The artist has captured the softness and finesse of Joséphine's features, revealing the quality of this work attributed to Saint Daniel, a renowned miniaturist painter.

Saint Daniel (1778 - 1847) a miniaturist active in the early 19th century, was renowned for his elegant portraits of the nobility and the European bourgeoisie. He worked for aristocratic families, creating finely detailed and expressive miniatures. This miniature represents a fine example of the art of miniature painting under the Empire, where neoclassical aesthetics and fine details served the grandeur of the imperial figures. The choice of colours and the precision of the lines perfectly illustrate the style of Saint Daniel, an artist whose reputation was firmly anchored in the circle of miniaturists of the time.