Antique French c. 1790-1810 Portrait Miniature, Beauty with Red Guillotine Shawl
One might think "French Empire", but she's earlier. Late 1700s, after The Terror, to perhaps c.1810. She might also be among the wealthy young Incroyables et Merveilleuses whose elaborate fasion political movement, c.1795-99 is one quite unparalleled in time - worth reading about. We know for certain she was a Royalist protesting the upheaval of the lives and fortunes of Kings and Nobles in the time of The Terror, when so many met their end at the guillotine. The portraits of this era with blood red shawl or scarf linked these people to those lost - perhaps a relative, closer to them than the ill-fated King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. The portraits are somber, a hint of defiance, and quite often done by French artists alongside the Nobles, most living in exile for decades, waiting restoration of the Royalty. I've long collected these mourning Royals' portraits. Most don't even understand what's being said in them. Measurements noted on the photos. Very good to excellent condition,