Antique Watercolor and Gouache Portrait Miniature, Likely Napoleon II - The King of Rome in Evans Philadelphia Gilt Brass Easel Frame
Antique Watercolor and Gouache Portrait Miniature, Likely Napoleon II - The King of Rome in Evans Philadelphia Gilt Brass Easel Frame
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Finely executed oval watercolor and gouache portrait miniature depicting a youthful European nobleman or royal prince dressed in an 18th-century powdered wig, blue court coat, lace collar, pink sash, and jeweled order star. The miniature is mounted beneath convex glass in an ornate Louis XVI-style gilt brass easel frame featuring ribbon, floral, and laurel ornament. The reverse bears the retailer's stamp "Evans, Philadelphia."
The portrait was likely created as a decorative miniature after an earlier European court portrait and sold through Evans as an imported luxury decorative object.
Finely executed oval watercolor and gouache portrait miniature depicting a youthful European nobleman or royal prince dressed in an 18th-century powdered wig, blue court coat, lace collar, pink sash, and jeweled order star. The miniature is mounted beneath convex glass in an ornate Louis XVI-style gilt brass easel frame featuring ribbon, floral, and laurel ornament. The reverse bears the retailer's stamp "Evans, Philadelphia."
The portrait was likely created as a decorative miniature after an earlier European court portrait and sold through Evans as an imported luxury decorative object.
4.5"h x 3"w x 0.5"d
4.5"h x 3"w x 0.5"d
Portrait miniatures enjoyed a resurgence during the Belle Époque and Edwardian periods as collectors embraced French and Rococo Revival interiors. Rather than being intimate likenesses of contemporaries, many artists produced finely painted watercolor and gouache miniatures after celebrated portraits of European royalty and aristocracy. These works were often mounted in elaborate gilt brass easel frames and retailed through luxury firms such as Evans of Philadelphia, one of America's leading importers of fine decorative arts.
Portrait miniatures enjoyed a resurgence during the Belle Époque and Edwardian periods as collectors embraced French and Rococo Revival interiors. Rather than being intimate likenesses of contemporaries, many artists produced finely painted watercolor and gouache miniatures after celebrated portraits of European royalty and aristocracy. These works were often mounted in elaborate gilt brass easel frames and retailed through luxury firms such as Evans of Philadelphia, one of America's leading importers of fine decorative arts.
Late 19th to early 20th century, circa 1890–1915
Late 19th to early 20th century, circa 1890–1915
Watercolor and gouache on paper
Convex glass
Gilt brass (ormolu-style) easel frame
Brass easel support
Watercolor and gouache on paper
Convex glass
Gilt brass (ormolu-style) easel frame
Brass easel support
Austin Estate; Evans, Philadelphia
Austin Estate; Evans, Philadelphia
Minor wear and light foxing consistent with age.
Gilt frame exhibits expected patina and light surface wear.
The sitter has not been positively identified and is offered as a decorative portrait miniature after an 18th-century European original.
Evans of Philadelphia was the retailer, not necessarily the artist or frame manufacturer
Minor wear and light foxing consistent with age.
Gilt frame exhibits expected patina and light surface wear.
The sitter has not been positively identified and is offered as a decorative portrait miniature after an 18th-century European original.
Evans of Philadelphia was the retailer, not necessarily the artist or frame manufacturer