Portrait of a Gentleman as a Hunter

This miniature shows an unknown gentleman as a hunter. Wearing a tall hat at an angled position and carrying a gun in his hands, he stands in a mountainous landscape in front of an overhanging rock with bushes. His clothing consists of a blue jacket, a white shirt and a red scarf; a strap and a rope are crossed over his breast. Although the hunter is shown in his clothes, the sitter is looking at the observer so calmly that it can be assumed that this picture was created in a studio. The light is therefore not natural – coming from the side as in most miniature portraits, it enables the artist to give more depth to the body. The transition to the distant horizon is skilfully mastered by adding rocks and bushes. The dark rock,providing the portrait’s background, emphasises the hunter's pale face. These technical subtleties point to the artist’s skill and sensitivity, and prove her outstanding talent. On the left part of the rock we discover the signature of Mlle Landragin (who was later to become Mme Duvieux), a miniaturist who unfortunately is virtually unknown today.

D. O.