Lady in a Black Dress with a Red Shawl

This miniature entered the Tansey Collection as the work of an unknown French miniaturist and could be attributed to Louis Marie Autissier by virtue of the characteristic painting style. Like all works by Autissier in the collection,¹ this portrait impresses with its luminous colours and amazing richness of detail.

The black dress is crowned with two layers of seethrough lace above a generous décolletage. Autissier has skilfully reproduced the surfaces of the different materials. The waist of the dress made of cotton velvet is accentuated by a shiny black silk bow. The red shawl is draped asymmetrically around the shoulders and, together with the earrings and the gold chain lying loosely on the décolletage, affords the portrait a distinct vividness. The same applies to the skin tones: the miniaturist has modelled the sitter’s face with warm rust tones and soft shadows, taking special care in the area around the eyes.

The other decorative elements used in the painting, such as the complicated curly hairstyle with flowers pinned at the top, also create a natural and lively effect that is never overdone.

J. S. O.