Young Princess Around 1670 – Workshop Of Pierre Mignard (1612 – 1695)

Oil on oval canvas.
We find in this portrait a part of the universe of the one who was nicknamed the Roman, Pierre Mignard. But it is on the way that we will linger to support the connection with the famous French painter of the Grand Siècle. In front of a heavy green curtain, the young princess poses three-quarter face down, illuminated by a frontal light. Her grace and her chubby face do not fail to recall the portraits of Mademoiselle de Blois or Mademoiselle de Tours, both by the hand of Pierre Mignard and preserved respectively in the Louvre Museum and the Versailles Museum. Without suffering from any affectation, our portrait is of great realism and the young princess with immaculate flesh is perfectly highlighted by the play of materials and colors. Dressed in a blue dress enclosed in a boned body embroidered with gold threads, the young woman displays a determined air. The wide neckline from which protrudes a fine lace is adorned in its center with a jewel called boute en train. In conclusion, this remarkable portrait, in its original frame in carved and gilded wood said to have flowered corners, offers the gaze a female figure treated with great sensitivity combining charm and finesse.

Provenance: French private collection
Dimensions: 39 x 31.5 cm – 56 x 48 cm with the frame
Sold with invoice and certificate of expertise.

Pierre Mignard (Troyes 1612 – Paris 1695) is the brother of Nicolas (known as Nicolas Mignard from Avignon), also a painter. Like Valentin de Boulogne, Michel Dorigny, Charles Le Brun or Eustache Le Sueur, Pierre Mignard was a pupil of Simon Vouet. Nicknamed "the Roman" because he spent a long time in Rome, where he divided his career between the production of large historical compositions and the art of portraiture in which he excelled. Louis XIV called him back in 1657 to entrust him with the decoration of the dome of the Val-de-Grâce and the small gallery of Versailles. After the death of Charles Le Brun, he was appointed first painter to the King and director of the Academy of Painting. Pierre Mignard is considered one of the best colorists of his time and is distinguished by the naturalness and the truth of the expression of his figures, his brush is soft and has grace.