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DiaporamaA Gentleman
1790
3.0 x 3.0 cm
Sometimes the casework for a miniature tells more about the sitter than the portrait. Here, a conservative looking gentleman has chosen a fancy case style known as fausse-montre (false watch). In the late eighteenth century, it was popular to wear two pocket watches suspended at the waist, one real and the other a fausse-montre, usually made to match, that often contained a portrait miniature. In contrast to the simple portrait, the reverse has a cobalt glass border with bright-cut gold metal bezels surrounding a bow of hair tied with a narrow gold “ribbon” mounted on ivory. This design was likely a pattern copied from one of the manuals used by hair workers and jewelers, since it has also been found on other miniature cases.
j.-f. léauté (french, active circa 1790–1830) (? – ?)
Discover j.-f. léauté, a French artist (1790–1830) renowned for exquisite miniature portraits and illuminated manuscripts. Explore his works, including 'Très Belles Heures de Notre-Dame,' and his influence in European art history.
About this artwork
- Title: A Gentleman
- Artist: j.-f. léauté (french, active circa 1790–1830)
- Year: 1790
- Original dimensions: 3.0 x 3.0 cm
- Format: Landscape
- Copyright status: Under copyright
- Main color: Black
- Perceived brightness: bright
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