Portrait of a Lady as Minerva C.1700; Circle of François De Troy (1645-1730)

This portrait depicting a girl in a classically inspired manner is a fine example. The artist has depicted their subject wearing an elaborate feather headdress resembling a Roman galea, a badge with the mask of Minerva on her bodice, and a metallic waistband. These garments draw from traditional mythology which by the time this portrait was painted was well known. All educated individuals of the period were familiar with Latin and Greek poetry and the mythological world and in 18th century France it was fashionable for aristocratic women to have their likenesses made in the guise of mythological characters. Many artist’s specialised in these fanciful allegorical portraits. This young lady has been depicted as Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, protector of peace, and patroness of the arts and sciences – and has thereby elevated her to the status of a goddess.

The expensive fabrics, the large swag curtain, and the whiteness of the skin are distinctive marks of the sitter’s social status. These, along with the mythological element, afford the portrait a theatricality that is a close reflection of an elegant and sophisticated society in which this wealthy woman belonged to.

Presented in an exquisite and highly unusual carved and gilded frame which is a work of art in its own right.

Francois de Troy was born in Toulouse in 1645 and died in Paris in 1730. He was taught the basic skills of painting by his father, and possibly by Antoine Durand. Around 1662 he went to Paris to study portrait painting under Claude Lefèbvre (1633–1675) and Nicolas-Pierre Loir (1624–1679) and was later approved by the Académie Royale de peinture et de sculpture. After the death of Claude Lefebvre in 1675, Troy concentrated on portraiture aimed at commissions from Lefebvre's former clients and became a very successful and fashionable painter. In the 1690s, Troy became the principal painter to the court of King James II and his court-in-exile at Saint-Germain. In 1698, he was appointed a Professor of the Académie Royale, and in 1708 became its Director. He was able to work continuously in court circles for almost fifty years and was admired for his ability to capture the upper classes and their preoccupation with manners and fashion.

Provenance: Private French collection

Measurements: Height 85cm, Width 70cm framed (Height 33.5”, Width 27.5” framed)

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