Portrait of a Lady C.1715; Circle of Hyacinth Rigaud (1659-1743)

Oil on canvas.

This large portrait is striking in its portrayal of the sumptuous fabrics and their decorative richness. Beautifully and meticulously rendered throughout, the young lady has been depicted wearing a finely detailed silk dress and pink and blue flowers in her hair. A luxurious ochre wrap envelopes her body and this is tied in the front with a blue ribbon and a large ruby, pearl and silver jewelled clasp. The bravura handling of the draperies and the colour combination is exquisite and the modelling and handling demonstrates a capability and proficiency in the oil technique of painting. The artist was influenced by the work of Hyacinthe Rigaud and his elegant portraits with their shimmering quality and colors. At the time of writing, we also have the pendant to this portrait (portrait of a lady) available for sale.

This beautiful portrait is both striking and impressive.

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.

Measurements: Height 99cm, Width 82cm framed (Height 39”, Width 32.25” framed)

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