Miniature: Empress Josephine 19th Century

Oval miniature painted in gouache representing Joséphine de Beauharnais, first wife of Napoleon I after the painting by François Gérard (1770-1837) painted in 1801: "Madame Bonaparte in her salon at Malmaison". This work is in the museum of St. Petersburg. François Gérard known as Baron Gérard, student of Jacques Louis David is one of the most eminent painters of the Empire and the Restoration. Our miniature represents the Empress half-length and three-quarters. Her fine face with a clear complexion is slightly rosy, the look of her large brown eyes is serene, her mouth sketches a discreet smile and locks of brown hair frame her face nicely. She is dressed in a white dress with a deep neckline and many drapes, very fashionable at that time. She wears a pearl tiara and matching earrings. A great softness emerges of this portrait whose strong brown background brings out the details in the quality of execution. The miniature is signed on the right side but the signature is difficult to decipher. It is in a finely chiseled gilt bronze frame; on the reverse, there is a suspension ring. 8 X 6.7cm 8.3 X 7cm with its frame. Good condition.