Portrait of a Lady - Nicolas de Largillièrre, Paris around 1710

Very beautiful portrait of Madame Marguerite Elisabeth Forest, wife of the painter Nicolas de Largillièrre.
She is represented at mid-bust, in three quarters in front of a red velvet hanging.
Her face with its pearly complexions and pink-enhanced cheekbones is flooded with light and tirelessly attracts the viewer, whom she gazes at serenely, with a slight hint of a smile which gives her a touching good nature.
This effect is reinforced by the two curls which frame her face and finish her beautiful powdered hair.
This last arrangement “à la Fontage” is made up of several layers of loops intertwined with ribbons and jewels.
Ms. Largillièrre wears a rich outfit consisting of an emerald green velvet cape lined with orange silk embroidered with flowers which she wears over a luxurious silver satin dress.
Her dress, which is very low-cut, is held in place by a precious stone belt worn over the shoulder.

Original canvas signed on the reverse “Painted by N de Largillièrre”.

Beautiful state of conservation.

Work of the painter Nicolas de Largillière (1656-1746), end of the Louis XIV period around 1710-1715.

Original frame in gilded oak wood decorated with Bérain-style foliage and spandrel palmettes. (retouches with gilding)

Dimensions:

Frame: Height: 98 cm; Width: 83 cm
Canvas: Height: 72 cm; Width: 58.5 cm

Our opinion :

Our portrait is characteristic of the female portraits painted by Nicolas de Largillièrre at the end of the Louis XIV period, that is to say in the years 1710-1715.
It combines all the successful ingredients of the famous portraitist, the pearly complexions, the powdered hair delicately enhanced with blue or the lively rendering and the thickness of the textiles which sparkle in the light.
The clothing and headdress are treated with a vast palette of colors accentuated by impasto, but for the face Largillièrre does not use any artifice, just a smooth painting which gives the subject a very sympathetic character and demonstrates to us all his talent as a portraitist .
Our portrait, which has the rare privilege of being signed on the reverse, is presented on its original canvas and in its period frame.