Tableau Autoportrait Peintre Couple Artiste Dame Costume Louis XVI 18th X 2 French School

Pair of 18th-century portraits, couple and painter's self-portrait

Beautiful pair of antique portraits depicting a notable couple, oil on canvas, in their antique gilded frames. The two figures are depicted at mid-bust, against a dark background, in a pendant composition: the woman holds a rose, while the man, facing the viewer, holds a stylus or pencil holder, a detail that evokes a painter, draughtsman or pastellist.

The female portrait is particularly appealing for the softness of the face, the powdered hairstyle, the pink dress and the white ornaments. The male portrait, more interiorized, presents a direct and singular presence. The tool held in the hand opens up the interesting hypothesis of a self-portrait or the portrait of an artist.

French work from the second half of the 18th century, in the tradition of the bourgeois or notable portrait. A very endearing decorative and historical set, with a beautiful coherence of format, composition and period.

The interest of this pair lies in its silent dialogue. The woman offers a softer, almost worldly image, built around rose and light complexions; the man, more serious, focuses the gaze on hand and instrument, like a discreet declaration of craft. The dark backgrounds envelop the figures and reinforce the presence of the faces.

Discovered condition, old restorations with wear, accidents, cracks, rubbing, missing parts and visible alterations. Antique gilded frames with wear, chips, . Sold as is, see photos.

Total dimensions 65 x 50 cm each with frame.