Unusual Trompe L’oeil Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman

A highly unusual portrait miniature of a gentleman, exquisitely hand painted in watercolours on a sheet of high-quality paper as a trompe l’oeil, the miniature enclosed in a gold leaf embellished (the gold leaf does not show as well in our images as it does to sight) oval faux frame suspended as if hanging on a gold wire, a faux shadow below. The miniature is framed by hand-painted and gold-leaf swags. A faint impressed rectangular line is visible enclosing a shinier surface to the paper inside it, presumably to allow the paint to sit well without excessive absorption by the paper. We date this tentatively to the first half of the 19th century, having examined it out of the frame and noted the fine condition of the paper which, although a little rucked (see below), is all that prevents us from suggesting an earlier date, as the subject of the miniature would suggest. Our best guess is that it would have been used by the limner when visiting prospective clients to promote their, clearly exceptional, skills. Measurements: Frame: 24.5cm (9.6in) high, 18.4cm (7.2in) wide Sheet: 23cm (9.1in) high, 17cm (6.7in) wide Miniature (excluding faux frame) 3.7cm (1.5in) high, 2.9cm (1.1in) wide Condition: The painting and its embellishments are in excellent condition. The paper is a little rucked (has an undulating surface).