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 an...