Young Girl With A Squirrel, Middleton Of The 18th Century

Portrait of a young girl with a squirrel
French school of the 18th century
Oil on canvas, old lining
Beautiful period frame
Dimensions with frame 95x78 cm

Charming portrait depicting a young noblewoman in a half-body bust, dressed in a beautiful celestial-blue silk dress with satin highlights, embellished with fine lace on the sleeves. The hairstyle, adorned with flowers, as well as the graceful pose and direct gaze are typical of 18th-century refinement.
The originality of this painting lies in the presence of the squirrel, to which the young girl seems to be offering a piece of fruit while delicately holding a small golden chain. This animal, rarely represented in French portraiture of this period, is a particularly interesting symbol: it evokes both vivacity and domesticated gentleness, but also a certain idea of aristocratic upbringing in which pets, such as dogs, parrots, etc., were part of the staging of social rank and refinement.
The careful treatment of the face, with its delicate complexions, rosy cheeks and soft modeling, recalls certain portraits by the entourage of Jean-Marc Nattier or Jean-Baptiste Perronneau, although the painting seems more the work of a follower inspired by the great Parisian portraitists.
The background hints at a garden or park and reinforces the elegant, intimate atmosphere of the scene.
The frame in very good condition is carved and gilded wood, richly adorned with flowers and shells.