Portrait of a Lady C.1720, French; Follower of Hyacinth Rigaud (1659-1743)

Oil on canvas.

Beautifully and meticulously rendered throughout most notably in the embroidered silk dress, crimson wrap, and pearl necklace. The sitter is most likely a member of the French Court and also bears a striking resemblance to Marie Angélique de Scorailles, Duchesse de Fontanges (1661-1681) who created the ‘fontange coiffure’ hairstyle as seen in this portrait. The Duchesse was a mistress of King Louis XIV for two years from 1679. At first the style consisted of a small pile of curled hair with ribbons and bows just above the forehead, small curls over the temples called "confidents," with long curls falling over one shoulder. Eventually it grew to such a height that a wire support was necessary and incorporated a starched linen frill in the front. In England it became known as a 'top-knot' and was worn by ladies of all ranks including Queen Mary II. The beautiful silk fabric of the dress is decorated with a floral motif (France was the center for lace-making and silk and brocade manufacturing and its many goods were in high demand in other European countries).

Rigaud is considered one of the most famous portrait painters of the French classical period. A portrait of the Duc de Broglie (1671-1745) from Rigaud’s circle achieved $37,000 at a New York auction in 2008. His patrons where amongst the richest circles of both French and European society – royalty, the bourgeois, financiers, nobles, industrialists, and ministers. He was court painter to the French royal family and his oeuvre includes an almost complete gallery of the leaders of the kingdom of France between 1680 and 1740. Many foreign princes on their ‘Grand Tour’ wanted to take with them a souvenir of France and especially their portraits by Rigaud. By some accounts it is estimated that over 1000 individuals sat for him. In 1702 he was appointed professor at the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in Paris and then Professor in 1710. He had a successful workshop and took on many pupils and was active right up to his death in 1743.

Presented in a fine swept frame.

Provenance: From a private collector in Hannover, Germany who purchased if from Gallerie Marcus in Paris (the invoice for this sale dated 30th Jan, 1990 acccompanies the portrait).

Measurements: Height 106cm, Width 92cm framed (Height 41.75”, Width 36.25” framed)

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