LE TELLIER JEAN-BAPTISTE

(1759- after 1816)

Portrait of a young woman as Erato

19th century

Signed on the right: Le Tellier

Watercolor and gouache, round: 8,2 cm.

Gilded circle metal: 10,5 cm.

Large miniature of exceptional quality representing a young woman with the attributes of Erato, seated in a landscape.

Portrait signed on the right: Le Tellier.

In Greek mythology, Erato is the Muse of lyric poetry, particularly erotic poetry, and of mimic imitation. In the Orphic hymn to the Muses, it is Erato who charms the sight. Since the Renaissance she has mostly been shown with a wreath of myrtle and roses, holding a lyre, or a small kithara, a musical instrument often associated with Apollo.

Excellent state of conservation, professional restoration.

Price: 4800 Є

PROVENANCE:

Private collection, Paris

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bouchot, Bénézit, Schidlof, Blattel, Lemberger, Foster, Darmon, Truman

MUSEUMS:

Louvre, Paris; Stockholm National Museum, coll. MAD Paris, MBA Dijon, coll. Tansey.