This charming French oil painting depicts a young 18th-century lady adorned in the fashions of the Rococo period. It’s reminiscent of works by Antoine Pense (1683-1757), the French-born court painter of Prussia. It was probably produced during the 19th century.

The Rococo aesthetic was abundant with exquisite silk gowns and elegant lace accessories such as floral hair ornaments. Older girls dressed like their mothers with additional elements added to their ensemble as they aged. In France, portrait artists were in high demand, such as François Boucher (1703-1770) and Jean-Marc Nattier (1685-1766). They captured a time of decadent frivolity and exquisite tailoring.

Born in Paris, Antoine Pesne is considered one of the fathers of Rococo painting (1683-1757) and his masterly works are alive with vibrant colouring. Early in his career, he moved to Berlin following the instruction of King Frederick I of Prussia and he also worked in the courts of Dresden and Dessau. From the 1740s, he was under the patronage of Frederick II and, in addition to portraiture, produced decorative schemes for palatial buildings.

The sitter here bears some resemblance to Pesne’s portrayal of ‘Gräfin Juliana Wilhelmine von Bose’.

The portrait was previously in the collection of James St Vincent Broke Saumarez, 5th Baron de Saumarez (1889-1969), at Shrubland Park, Suffolk, and thence in the family by descent.

Inscribed on the reverse and held within a beautiful 19th-century scroll and foliate gilt frame.

Medium: Oil on panel
Overall size: 18½” x 22” / 47cm x 57cm
Year of creation: c. 1880
Labels & Inscriptions: Inscribed ‘Antoine Pesne’ on the reverse.
Provenance: With James St Vincent Broke Saumarez, 5th Baron de Saumarez (1889-1969), at Shrubland Park, Suffolk / Thence by descent.
Condition: Cleaned. Areas of fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.
Our reference: BRV1934