Portrait of a Lady, French C.1740; Circle of Marianne Loir (C.1715 - 1769)

Oil on canvas.

This portrait is a charming example of the 18th century French rococo portrait and the elaborate ornamentation of the period. Richly dressed, the sitter is half length and seated in an interior holding a musical score. There is an impression of intimacy and familiarity between the sitter and viewer as if the lady has paused momentarily to gaze out at the viewer. The poise of the sitter was crucial to the artist’s goal of portraying sensitive disposition and this is evident by the multiple tweaks and adjustments or ‘pentimenti’... achieving ‘elegant nonchalance’ required work. Held in its original frame this is a enchanting work from the period.

Marianne Loir was a French painter born in Paris. She was the daughter of the Parisian painter and engraver Nicolas Loir (1624-1779) and sister of the sculptor Alexis III Loir (1712-1785). Marianne studied under Jean-François de Troy (1679-1752), was a member of the French Academy in Rome (where she stayed between 1738 and 1746) and was a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in Marseille in 1762 shortly before she relocated to Provence. The artist was clearly influenced by the graceful portraits of Jean Marc Nattier and Jean Louis Tocqué (1696-1772).

Provenance: Private collection near Toulouse France

Measurements: Height 103cm, Width 80cm framed (Height 40.5”, Width 31.5” framed)

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