JEAN-MARC NATTIER | Portrait of a lady holding a carnation, said to be la duchesse de Châteauroux

Baron Henri de Rothschild (1872-1947) Collection, Paris;
Sold by baron Henri de Rothschild to Mrs Elisabeth Wildenstein in 1930;
Elisabeth Wildenstein (1882-1969) Collection, Paris;
With Galerie Pardo, Paris.

Exposition de cent portraits de femmes des écoles Anglaise et Française du XVIIIe siècle, Paris, Jardin des Tuileries, Salle du Jeu de Paume, 23 April - 1 July 1909, n° 84;
Les Artistes du Salon de 1737, Paris, Grand Palais, May-June 1930, n° 81.

L'Art et les artistes, N°18, April-September 1906, Paris, vol. III, n°18, p. 226, reproduced;
L. Vaillat and R. Dell, L'art du XVIIIe siècle, cent portraits de femmes des écoles Anglaise et Française, Paris 1910, n° 84, reproduced; 
Les Artistes du Salon de 1737, Paris, Grand Palais, May-June 1930, n° 81 (as 'The lady holding a carnation'); 
L. Dimier, Les Peintres français du XVIIIe siècle, Paris, Bruxelles 1930, vol. II, n^o 138, p. 129, reproduced pl. 25 (as an unknown lady holding a carnation).

To the naked eye The painted surface seems to be in a reasonably good condition. Thinness can be seen in the background, in the contours of the figure and her clothing. Also some thinness observable in the lady’s chest. The painted surface is covered with dense and coarse craquelure pattern. Some of the colours in the figure’s dress and flowers seems to be nicely preserved. Retouchings can be seen, some in her face, near her nose, along her chin and in her dress. Under the UV light Tiny retouchings can be seen around her eyes, nose and mouth, her left cheek, and below her right ear. Also in her upper chest, arms, together with some minor ones in her dress. Offered with a decorative carved and giltwood frame, in good condition with some very minor chips and damages.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This portrait is presumed to be that of one of the favourites of Louis XV, Anne de Mailly-Nesle, marquise of La Tournelle, duchess of Châteauroux. She was born in Paris, in the parish of Saint-Sulpice, on 5 October 1717 and died in the same parish on 8 December 1744, at the young age of only twenty-seven years. Our portrait dates from the year preceding her death, 1743. Comparable portraits show her with very dark brown eyes. Note on the provenance:
Born into the English branch of the Rothschild family but settled in France, Henri de Rothschild studied medicine and generously financed several hospitals, as well as the research of Pierre and Marie Curie. He was a winegrower, an entrepreneur, a playwright, a racing driver but above all, a philanthropist. Henri de Rothschild first lived in a sumptuous town house at 33 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, which he donated to the Société du Cercle de l'Union interalliée and which is still its seat, before moving into the château de la Muette, which he had built between 1912 and 1922 by the architect Lucien Hesse.