{"product_id":"portrait-miniature-likely-depicting-wilhelmine-herzlieb-on-mother-of-pearl-in-crowned-gilt-brass-frame","title":"Portrait Miniature Likely Depicting Wilhelmine Herzlieb on Mother-of-Pearl in Crowned Gilt Brass Frame","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElegant early 19th-century portrait miniature possibly depicting Wilhelmine Herzlieb (1789–1865), the celebrated muse associated with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The sitter is rendered in delicate watercolor and gouache on a luminous mother-of-pearl shell wafer, portraying a young woman with expressive dark eyes, elaborate ringlet curls, elongated neck, and softly draped Regency-era attire accented with gilt detailing and a rich teal-blue shawl.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe miniature is housed within an ornate oval gilt brass frame surmounted by an elaborate openwork crown crest and bordered with repeating fleur-de-lis motifs. Surrounding the portrait is its original plush velvet or silk velvet liner in a pale mauve-gray tone, giving the work a refined jewel-like presentation characteristic of Victorian romantic decorative arts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConstruction details visible from the reverse — including folded brass retaining tabs, layered paper backing, and stamped brass framework — suggest the frame dates to the later 19th century, while the portrait itself appears stylistically earlier. It was likely treasured and reframed during the Victorian period, a common practice for sentimental or literary-associated portrait miniatures.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eParticularly notable is the translucent quality of the support material. Under direct backlighting, the image becomes faintly visible through the reverse, strongly supporting the use of mother-of-pearl shell rather than paper. Fine natural striations visible under magnification further reinforce this identification.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sitter bears a notable resemblance to known romanticized depictions associated with Wilhelmine Herzlieb — particularly the softly idealized facial structure, curls, and introspective expression frequently seen in early 19th-century German and Continental portraiture inspired by Goethe’s circle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49066181329151,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/8780\/4927\/files\/99D2FEAB-152D-4E8A-A79E-ACA89700ACAA.png?v=1787350070","url":"https:\/\/forthelouvreofantiques.com\/es\/products\/portrait-miniature-likely-depicting-wilhelmine-herzlieb-on-mother-of-pearl-in-crowned-gilt-brass-frame","provider":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}