Lot Essay
The present miniature dates from Quaglia's most inspired period when he was working for Empress Josephine and her daughter Hortense. It can be compared to his masterpiece, the portrait of the singer Giuseppina Grassini, now in the Museum of La Scala, Milan, which was acquired by the Italian government for La Scala in Paris, 1911, for the record price of 100,000 gold francs. The ornate ormolu frames of both of these miniatures are identical (see L. R. Schidlof, The Miniature in Europe, Graz, 1964, IV, pl. 470, no. 964).
For further information on this interesting artist see C. Jeannerat, 'Il pittore Ferdinando Quaglia', Dedalo, 1921, pp. 536-550.
For further information on this interesting artist see C. Jeannerat, 'Il pittore Ferdinando Quaglia', Dedalo, 1921, pp. 536-550.