λ William Bate (c.1759-c.1845) Portrait miniature of Ninon de L'Enclos (1620-1705)

λ William Bate (c.1759-c.1845)

Portrait miniature of Ninon de L'Enclos (1620-1705), head and shoulders, in a blue dress

Inscribed on the reverse of the enamel, set into the lid of a tortoiseshell and gold rectangular box

42 x 35mm; the box 80 x 60mm

Ninon de L'Enclos, author and courtesan, was revered as a freethinker. Always of independent means she mixed in the highest circles in Parisian life. This miniature seems to be based on the portrait etching of her by Antoine-Jean-Baptiste Coupé

Provenance:

Lawrence Gould Antiques 12/11/08

Lots 1-31 from a private collection