Martin Drolling (1752-1817), a French painter, was noted for his portraits and genre scenes. Inspired by the Flemish masters, he mastered the art of capturing natural expressions and minute details, as evidenced by this portrait of great delicacy.
Oil on canvas portrait of Anne-Marie-Louise d’Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier (1657-1693), after the portrait made by the workshop of Charles and Henri Beaubrun, around 1660.
This is a fine example of French painting from the first third of the 17th century. It presents a high-society woman, probably Madame d’Arjuzon, in an elegant and noble pose, dressed in rich finery and adorned with sumptuous jewels.
The animals seem almost humanized, some looking directly at the viewer, with expressions that exude a form of intelligence and sensitivity, adding a poetic dimension to the scene.
Italian school
Late 17th century – early 18th century
Portrait of Princess Anne-Géneviève de Bourbon, Duchess of Longueville (1619-1679), daughter of the Prince of Condé and Charlotte de Montmorency. Oil on octagonal panel by Jean Ducayer, painted after a work by François Clouet.
Around 1640
Large oil on canvas “Saint Michael the Archangel slaying the demon” according to Guido Reni. This religious painting depicts the famous episode of the Apocalypse according to Saint John where the archangel Saint Michael defeats the demon.
Early 19th century
Italy
Painting on alabaster depicting Saint John the Baptist pointing with one hand towards a lamb and holding in another hand the pastoral staff in the shape of a cross with an inscription ‘Ecce agnus Dei’ – ‘Behold the Lamb of God’, wooden frame polychrome sculpted.
19th century
France
Large oil on canvas representing a landscape with Roman ruins and characters.
18th century
Italy
Large six-leaf screen in painted canvas, panels decorated with a motif inspired by Chinoiserie, as was fashionable in the mid-18th century, reverse decorated with simple trompe l’oeil panels.
The banyan, inspired by oriental dressing gowns, was worn for its comfort and casual elegance.
The subject’s richly decorated orange silk scarf and silver-embroidered vest illustrate this fashion well. This style reflects the influence of cultural and commercial exchanges with the Orient, as well as the importance given to appearance and social status in the society of the time.