French Antique Miniature Portrait
This French antique miniature portrait depicts The Marquis de Pompadour. Francois Boucher was famous for his artwork in the Rococo style. He is considered to be one of the most celebrated and decorative artists of 18th century France. The Marquis de Pompadour was his patron. The majority of her portraits were done by Boucher. Most likely, Boucher’s Portrait of ‘Pompadour at her Toilette’ was the miniature artist’s inspiration. This portrait is signed on the bottom right hand side. In the top right hand corner on the revese side of the miniature there is an old label with ‘La Marquis de Pompadou a la Toilette F Boucher’ handwritten.
Miniature portraits first appeared in the courts of Europe in the 16th century. By the 18th century they were popular and widespread. They developed from the art of ‘illuminating’ handwritten books with illustrations and decorative borders. It is sometimes referred to as ‘limning’ a derivative of the term ‘minium’ or the red lead used by medieval illuminators. Miniature portraits were usually created on prepared card, copper or ivory. Gouache, watercolour or enamel was used on these surfaces. They were highly popular amongst the 16th century elites and remained popular until the development of the photograph is the mid19th century. Miniature portraits were often given as intimate gifts within family and friends or by optimistic males during courtship. On some occasions they were given as diplomatic gifts. During the second half of the 17th century, vitreous enamel painted onto copper became popular, especially in France. By the 18th century, portraits were painted with watercolour on ivory because it was relatively cheap to do so. They were often fitted into lockets, inside watch covers or pieces of jewellery so that they could be carried on the person. Sometimes miniature portraits were framed and placed on a stand, hung on the wall or fitted into snuff boxes. Some well known miniature portrait artists included, Jean Clouet (1485-1540), Francoise Clouet (1510-1572), Jean Petitot (1607-1672) and Jean Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855).
This miniature portrait has been framed in wood and it remains in excellent condition. The frame measures 14.5 cms by 12.5 cms.
This French antique miniature portrait depicts The Marquis de Pompadour. Francois Boucher was famous for his artwork in the Rococo style. He is considered to be one of the most celebrated and decorative artists of 18th century France. The Marquis de Pompadour was his patron. The majority of her portraits were done by Boucher. Most likely, Boucher’s Portrait of ‘Pompadour at her Toilette’ was the miniature artist’s inspiration. This portrait is signed on the bottom right hand side. In the top right hand corner on the revese side of the miniature there is an old label with ‘La Marquis de Pompadou a la Toilette F Boucher’ handwritten.
Miniature portraits first appeared in the courts of Europe in the 16th century. By the 18th century they were popular and widespread. They developed from the art of ‘illuminating’ handwritten books with illustrations and decorative borders. It is sometimes referred to as ‘limning’ a derivative of the term ‘minium’ or the red lead used by medieval illuminators. Miniature portraits were usually created on prepared card, copper or ivory. Gouache, watercolour or enamel was used on these surfaces. They were highly popular amongst the 16th century elites and remained popular until the development of the photograph is the mid19th century. Miniature portraits were often given as intimate gifts within family and friends or by optimistic males during courtship. On some occasions they were given as diplomatic gifts. During the second half of the 17th century, vitreous enamel painted onto copper became popular, especially in France. By the 18th century, portraits were painted with watercolour on ivory because it was relatively cheap to do so. They were often fitted into lockets, inside watch covers or pieces of jewellery so that they could be carried on the person. Sometimes miniature portraits were framed and placed on a stand, hung on the wall or fitted into snuff boxes. Some well known miniature portrait artists included, Jean Clouet (1485-1540), Francoise Clouet (1510-1572), Jean Petitot (1607-1672) and Jean Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855).
This miniature portrait has been framed in wood and it remains in excellent condition. The frame measures 14.5 cms by 12.5 cms.
This French antique miniature portrait depicts The Marquis de Pompadour. Francois Boucher was famous for his artwork in the Rococo style. He is considered to be one of the most celebrated and decorative artists of 18th century France. The Marquis de Pompadour was his patron. The majority of her portraits were done by Boucher. Most likely, Boucher’s Portrait of ‘Pompadour at her Toilette’ was the miniature artist’s inspiration. This portrait is signed on the bottom right hand side. In the top right hand corner on the revese side of the miniature there is an old label with ‘La Marquis de Pompadou a la Toilette F Boucher’ handwritten.
Miniature portraits first appeared in the courts of Europe in the 16th century. By the 18th century they were popular and widespread. They developed from the art of ‘illuminating’ handwritten books with illustrations and decorative borders. It is sometimes referred to as ‘limning’ a derivative of the term ‘minium’ or the red lead used by medieval illuminators. Miniature portraits were usually created on prepared card, copper or ivory. Gouache, watercolour or enamel was used on these surfaces. They were highly popular amongst the 16th century elites and remained popular until the development of the photograph is the mid19th century. Miniature portraits were often given as intimate gifts within family and friends or by optimistic males during courtship. On some occasions they were given as diplomatic gifts. During the second half of the 17th century, vitreous enamel painted onto copper became popular, especially in France. By the 18th century, portraits were painted with watercolour on ivory because it was relatively cheap to do so. They were often fitted into lockets, inside watch covers or pieces of jewellery so that they could be carried on the person. Sometimes miniature portraits were framed and placed on a stand, hung on the wall or fitted into snuff boxes. Some well known miniature portrait artists included, Jean Clouet (1485-1540), Francoise Clouet (1510-1572), Jean Petitot (1607-1672) and Jean Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855).
This miniature portrait has been framed in wood and it remains in excellent condition. The frame measures 14.5 cms by 12.5 cms.
