Lot number 2003 - Auction 150
PORTRÄT EINER JUNGEN KÜNSTLERIN, 1810

AUGUSTIN AUBERT 1781 Marseille - 1857, same place PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG ARTIST, 1810 Oil on canvas. 90 x 70 cm (f. 100 x 81 cm). Signed and dated lower right. Craquelure, retouching. Frame. The painting dates from 1810 - the time when Augustin Aubert was appointed director of the School of Design in Marseille (École de dessin). In this finely executed portrait, he depicts a young female artist - a rare subject for the early 19th century. Her profession is indicated by numerous details, presented with attention and pride by both the model and the artist: an easel with a canvas showing a preliminary sketch of a double portrait of two children, a pencil in her hand, and a miniature painting she shows to the viewer - presumably a portrait of her father-in-law, as suggested by a note on the table.