French School, circa 1810

Sale, London, Bonham's, 18 November 2003, lot 99;

with the Phillip Mould Gallery, London,

by whom sold to the present owner 

This ambitious 'cabinet' miniature depicts a young lady in sumptuous surroundings. Perhaps painted on the occasion of her marriage or her entry into society, the artist has included a number of objects that refer to her attributes: the lyre-guitar that leans upon the Greek revival plinth, the sheet music on the chair, a statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and the arts. 

The cabinet miniature format was popular in France during the first years of the 19^th century. For a similar composition and approach to the subject as the present lot, please see Louis Francois Aubry’s Portrait en pied d’une jeaune femme blonde, en robe de velours noir accoudée à une harpe, circa 1810 (Musée du Lourve, acc. no. R144).