“young Girl With A Bird” Enamel On Copper 19th

Domed enamel on copper, oval shape, early 19th century in the style of Joshua Reynolds, eminent British painter of the 18th century. A young girl is represented sitting in a landscape, her right hand outstretched towards her shoulder, a bird seems to peck her finger. His left arm is placed on a bird cage covered with draped fabric. Her head is tilted slightly forward, she is not smiling and her large dark eyes have a slightly sad and guilty expression. This representation of the bird released from its cage often had a sexual connotation in the 18th century: the loss of virginity. This work monogrammed WCB at the bottom right is probably by William Bone, son of the great miniaturist Henri Bone (1755-1834) who also painted extensively on enamel. We find in his work his father's manner and his quality of execution. The miniature is housed in a rectangular frame in chiseled gilded brass topped with a large bow and completed with chestnut-colored velvet. The reverse is annotated with various indications in German. Provenance: Austrian collection.