Empire-style Portrait Of Madame Gimet Dugué As A Young Woman, Dated 1811 And Signed

Oil on canvas portrait of the young Madame Gimet Dugué, who was part of Empress Joséphine’s entourage, as indicated by the label on the back. This painting is dated 1811 and signed “Lafite (?)” in the lower right corner. This Empire-style portrait depicts Madame Gimet Dugué in a high-waisted gown with a generous neckline typical of the era; this orange-red gown, accented with gold, features white puffed sleeves delicately pleated. The brushwork is precise, and the facial contours are rendered with great finesse. The smooth transition of the shadows beneath the chin, the subtle rosy blush on the cheeks, and the meticulous attention to the iris of the eye demonstrate a high level of technical mastery, in a very academic style. The hairstyle, with its English-style curls, is characteristic of the from-life work of early 19th-century portraitists, lending the subject a great deal of vitality. Madame Gimet Dugué wears a triple-strand coral pearl necklace, delicately rendered with small, dot-like brushstrokes.
This painting bears a barely legible signature in the lower right corner—possibly “Lafite” or “Laffitte.” The label affixed to the back of the work allows us to identify this young woman as a member of Auvergne’s high society—more specifically from the town of Thiers in the Puy-de-Dôme department—and as part of Empress Eugénie’s inner circle... It also allows us to trace part of the artwork’s journey through family and friends’ collections.
This charming and lively portrait is set in a wooden frame with gilded stucco and cream-colored lacquer.
Good condition, with standard restoration and maintenance (some repainting); a visible patch on the back of the work.
Shipping cost to mainland France: €20; for other destinations, please contact us for an accurate shipping quote