FRANÇOIS DUMONT (FRENCH, 1751-1831)

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

Details

FRANÇOIS DUMONT (FRENCH, 1751-1831)
Madame Sauveige, seated in a landscape, her arms around a young girl in her lap: Madame Sauveige in lace-bordered white dress and lace bonnet in her curling hair; the young girl in white dress with white ribbon in her short dark hair; foliate background with a lake and buildings beyond
signed 'Dumont' (mid-left)
on ivory
2 7/8 in. (73 mm.) diam., gilt-metal frame

Provenance

Christie's, London, 28 May 2002, lot 29.

Literature

The artist's second fee book (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Fondation Jacques Doucet, MS. 104), folio 11 (between 10 and 20 January 1790): 'Mde Sauveige et une jeune Dlle 35' [louis d'or].

Special Notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Brought to you by

Matilda Burn

mburns@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3026

Lot Essay

The artist's fee book indicates that the present miniature was one of the most expensive by the artist, costing 35 louis d'or. Queen Marie-Antoinette was charged 10 louis d'or for the miniature of the Dauphin on 10 January 1790. The high price can most likely be explained by the complex composition of the double-portrait, the depiction of the sitters' hands and the elaborate background.

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