Miniature: Portrait

Interesting and large 19th century miniature painted in gouache on ivory. A woman, more very young, is represented in a three-quarter bust. His triangular face is weighed down by the beginnings of a double chin; his forehead is furrowed with discreet wrinkles and his eyes are outlined. She looks at us, her eyes sidelong, her mouth sketching a very slight smile. She is wearing a lace cap decorated with pink ribbons, revealing the brown curls of her hair around her face. The pink ribbon of her cap falls in a large knot over her dark dress enlivened with lace at the shoulders. Through this expressive representation, the painter lets us glimpse the personality of this woman: It is undoubtedly a mistress-woman, certainly authoritarian and directive who leads her world smoothly and does not allow herself to be easily moved; voluntary and thoughtful, it must also be direct but fair. This miniature will not be appreciated by the beauty of its model but by the personality that emerges from this portrait which is often a more subtle art than painting a pretty woman. The miniature is surrounded by chiseled brass and placed in a large black lacquered wooden frame. Good condition. H miniature only: 7.5cm H with brass surround: 8, 7cm Frame: 18 X 16.5cm