19th Century Trompe-l'oeil Miniature Portrait Of A Gentleman

A highly unusual portrait miniature of a gentleman, possibly Louis XIV, exquisitely hand painted in watercolours on a sheet of high-quality paper as a trompe l’oeil, the miniature enclosed in a gold leaf embellished (the gold leaf does not show as well in our images as it does to sight) oval faux frame suspended as if hanging on a gold wire, a faux shadow below. The miniature is framed by hand-painted and gold leaf swags, topped with a smiling mask, similar to the comedy mask of the acting profession. A faint impressed line is visible inside this enclosing a shinier surface to the paper, presumably to allow the paint to sit well without excessive absorption by the paper.

We date this tentatively to the first half of the 19th century, having examined it out of the frame and noted the fine condition of the paper which, although a little rucked (see below), is all that prevents us from suggesting an earlier date. Our best guess is that it would have been used by the limner when visiting prospective clients to promote their, clearly exceptional, skills.

Measurements:
Frame: 24.5cm (9.6in) high, 18.4cm (7.2in) wide
Sheet: 23cm (9.1in) high, 17cm (6.7in) wide
Miniature (excluding faux frame) 3.5cm (1.4in) high, 3cm (1.2in) wide

Condition: The painting and its embellishments are in excellent condition. The paper is a little rucked (has an undulating surface).