18th-Century French Portrait Engraving, Louise Émilie Baronne de *** by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, 1779

18th-Century French Portrait Engraving, Louise Émilie Baronne de *** by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, 1779

Perhaps the most intriguing of this collection of estate-sourced 18th-century French engravings, this elegant portrait of **Louise Émilie, Baronne de *** dates to 1779 and was engraved by celebrated French artist Augustin de Saint-Aubin (1736–1807).

The beautifully coiffed sitter is shown in profile within an oval medallion—a wonderful record of late-18th-century French fashion and portraiture. Adding to its mystery, museum scholarship has suggested that the unidentified “Baronne” may actually have been Saint-Aubin’s own wife, Louise. Impressions of this composition are held in major museum collections, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art.

According to the auction-house cataloguing, this engraving is on laid, watermarked paper. Age-related foxing and toning are present throughout, lending the work the unmistakable character of an antique work on paper.

Beautifully presented beneath glass with layered powder-blue, ivory and gilt French matting and an ornate gilt frame.

DETAILS:
• Augustin de Saint-Aubin (French, 1736–1807)
• *Louise Émilie, Baronne de ****
• Dated 1779
• Laid, watermarked paper per auction-house cataloguing
• Approx. 10¾” H × 7½” W sight
• Approx. 16½” H × 12⅞” W overall framed
• Antique condition with foxing, toning and age-related wear as photographed

$395 — insured shipping included within the continental U.S.

Purchase two or more engravings from this collection for $375 each.