First Portrait Of A Pair, 18th Century

Large, beautiful portrait of Madame de Ségalis, born in the West Indies to a noble family from Quercy, wife of Armand Duhail de Lalye (second portrait for sale). She is shown in a red dress contrasting with the work's dark background, holding a fly box in an elegant pose. Her clothes and hairstyle date this portrait to the first quarter of the 18th century.
This portrait and its counterpart bear witness to the alliances between the nobility of France and wealthy colonial families. These unions often enabled prestigious titles to be bolstered with dowries from the sugar or coffee plantations of the West Indies.
The portrait is in good overall condition, despite some slight flaws visible in the photos. It is presented in a rich 19th-century Regency-style frame.
Total dimensions: 110 X 94 cm, and 88 X 72 cm for the canvas.