Four Plates Depicting Four Portraits Of Women - Workshop Of Leonardo II Limosin - France

Four Plates Depicting Four Portraits of Women
Workshop of Léonard II Limosin
Limoges, France
17th century
Enamelled copper
H. 15.5 ; L 11.5 cm (when viewed)
H. 22 cm, 18 cm long (when viewed)
(some old damage)

Four rectangular painted and enamelled copper plaques depicting four medallion bust portraits of women each dressed in the same shade of purple on a midnight blue background. The corners are each decorated with a flower bud with translucent petals on a gilded foliate background; salmon-coloured counter-enamel.
Two of the medallions have a background punctuated with floral friezes, while the other two are plain. Both portraits appear to depict the same female character: Anne of Austria, Queen of France (1601-1666). These portraits are similar to engravings by Michel Lasne after Philippe de Champaigne.
The other two enamelled plates depict two women holding a rosary, whose dress can be compared to engravings by Abraham Bosse.
Penhs and frames from the 19th century.

Léonard II Limosin, nephew of Léonard I Limosin (c. 1530-c. 1575), was a French enamel painter who was born around 1550 and died around 1625.

Bibliography:

- A similar example - featuring the gilded floral ornamental composition on a midnight blue background, by Jean II Limosin, depicting the portrait of Louis XIII, King of France and Navarre, is in the Wallace collection in London, inv.C598.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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