RARE Antique French Miniature Painting, Dore Bronze Frame - A "Naughty" Scene with Cupid

Fine Art : Paintings : Miniature Paintings, Grand Tour

 
For those who love the early 'naughty' paintings and truly appreciate them for what they are, here is a very special one we have never seen before - a leisurely pastoral glimpse of a Louis XVI era maiden just with her reading interupted a bit and with Cupid looking on. Makes us wonder what French Romance she is reading - Flaubert would be my guess. Not for everyone, but a rare scene in the tradition of the 'gentleman's smoking room' genre, it is explicitly but suggestively sensual in nature, and is rich with symbolism as well. The book represents the creativity of the psyche; the Cupid represents love in curiosity; the urns represent containment of passion and set against it's opposite - the wild surrounds, which typify the abandon and wild nature of its theme. A charming piece for any sophisticated collection!

Excellent condition in all aspects. The painting is on a thin ivory wafer which is still perfectly preserved, still sealed against any damage or moisture to the thick convex glass cover that protects it. A tiny masterpiece in both theme and execution, it's a most disarming little treasure. Housed in a pristine c.1830-60 dore bronze frame of finest quality. A great find!

Item ID: 108pm3
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