"venus And Love" After François Boucher – Large Miniature, Gilded Bronze Frame By Henri Picard

A large and delicate miniature painted in gouache, depicting Venus and Cupid after François Boucher (1703–1770), presented in a remarkable gilded bronze frame signed by the Parisian bronze artist Henri Picard, dating from the Napoleonic III era.

The composition, inspired by the romantic and mythological world of the famous 18th-century painter, depicts Venus seated in a lush, flower-filled landscape, accompanied by the young Cupid. The goddess, partially draped in a pink-toned fabric, holds two doves in her hand—symbols of love and fidelity. At her feet lies a quiver filled with arrows, a traditional attribute of Cupid.

The painting is distinguished by its fine details, soft skin tones, and rich color nuances. The landscape, rendered in shades of blue and green, particularly highlights the figures and the delicate floral arrangements.

The miniature bears a “Boucher” signature in the lower right corner, which is believed to be a reference to the painter whose work inspired the composition.

The remarkable gilded bronze frame, in the Louis XVI style, features rich ornamentation of knotted and intertwined ribbons, surmounting an oval molding accented by rows of pearls and finely chiseled friezes.

On the reverse, it bears the signature of the Parisian bronze artist Henri Picard, renowned for the quality of his decorative bronzes in the 19th century.

The frame comes with its original stand for display on a piece of furniture, as well as a hanging ring for wall mounting.

A beautiful decorative piece from the Napoleon III period, combining the refinement of miniature painting with the quality of 19th-century Parisian bronze work.

Period: second half of the 19th century, Napoleon III.

Condition: very fine overall appearance; original gilding well preserved.

Shipping: 18 euros within France, 35 euros within the EU, and 100 euros to the rest of the world.