Lot 2073 Dα

This charming portrait of an unknown young lady in a park landscape captivates the viewer with the subtle colours of the delicately painted costume. The lady wears a narrow-waisted moss green silk dress with precious agraffes hung with large pearl droplets and a voluminous lilac-coloured cape. The masterfully painted lace blouse is an eye-catching feature that drapes over the shoulders and neckline, while two carnations attached to the bodice complete the elegant ensemble.
The versatile artist Nicolas de Largillière, who painted portraits, still lifes and landscapes, was one of the most important painters under Louis XIV and during the Régence period. After a stay in London, where he worked in the studio of Sir Peter Lely, he became self-employed and worked for both the English and French courts. In 1693 he was admitted to the French Academy and settled permanently in Paris. He painted for the French aristocracy and the upper middle classes.
We would like to thank Dr Dominique Brême for examining the present painting in person and confirming it to be an autograph work by Nicolas de Largillière. He will be including the piece in his forthcoming catalogue raisonné as a work by Nicolaes de Largillière, dated to around 1730 and painted with the participation of his workshop (written communication dated 3 April 2024). The dress, with its beautiful transitions in the gown and the lace of the bodice, is by Largillière's hand, while Brême believes that the face was painted by a collaborator.