Pair Of Portraits From The Louis XIV Period. French School, Late 17th Century.

This elegant pair of portraits depicts an aristocratic couple from the late 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIV. The painter chose an oval format, very fashionable at the time, particularly appreciated for intimate and refined effigies intended to adorn the interiors of private mansions and stately homes. Portrait of the man: dressed in a rich gold-embroidered coat and a white lace scarf, he wears a red scarf thrown in a saltire, an attribute of military and courtesan dignity. His long, dark, slightly curled hair frames a serene face, treated with soft modeling and careful complexions, reminiscent of the art of French portraiture influenced by Le Brun and the Parisian workshops of the late reign of Louis XIV. Portrait of the woman: adorned with a reddish-brown silk dress adorned with a gold-embroidered bodice and white lace, she wears a pearl necklace and matching drop earrings. Her face, delicately lit, expresses the grace and elegance expected of female court representations. Her hair, tied back in curls and adorned with pearls, reflects the feminine fashion of the 1680s–1690s. Both works demonstrate fine craftsmanship: the details of the lace and fabrics are meticulously rendered, while the complexions retain a luminous freshness. The dark backgrounds, typical of official French portraiture of this period, highlight the radiance of the faces and clothing. These paintings have just been restored and are in very good condition. They retain their original softwood stretcher frames, and the canvas has not been relined. Tension strips were installed during the restoration to stabilize the whole. A thin semi-matte varnish has been applied, allowing the work to be clearly read and facilitating its exhibition thanks to a reduction in reflections, unlike a glossy varnish. They are presented in their period linden frames, with simple molding and a row of large pearls. The period gilding, of great authenticity, shows some wear and small losses consistent with age, which underline the charm and patina of time. This type of ornamentation, inherited from classicism, was largely taken up and developed during the reign of Louis XVI. Presented as a homogeneous pair, these portraits constitute a rare testimony to the art of portraiture under the Sun King, combining prestige, elegance and history.