Lot 928: 2 O/C French Portraits After Nicolas de Largilliere incl. Mme. Bazin

After Nicolas de Largilliere (French, 1656-1746), two oil on canvas bust-length three-quarters pose oval portraits. 1st item: portrait of a woman with a red ribbon in her hair, red bodice, and blue mantle, based on a portrait by Largilliere of a “Madame Bazin” (current location unknown). Handwritten labels tacked to wooden backing reads “E323 Bon 4408 / 2 chassis ovales en hauteur avec peintures: Mme Bazin cartouches peints largilliere” (“Two tall oval canvases with paintings: Mme Bazin / painted cartouches by Largilliere”). Also with label likely removed during previous conservation and affixed to modern card stock that reads “No. 323/4408 / [illegible].” Two additional labels are also affixed to back of frame, one with canvas information including dimensions in centimeters, and another numbered “72” along with illegible text. 2nd item: Portrait of a man, identity unknown, in a powdered wig, lace cravat, and red mantle. Handwritten label tacked to wooden backing reads “E 323 Bon 4408 / 2 chassis ovales en hauteur / avec peintures: Mansart / cartouches peints largilliere” (“Two tall oval canvases with paintings: Mansart painted cartouches by Largilliere”). Additional handwritten label tacked to back of frame reads: “2 chassis ovales en hauteur / avec peintures: Mme. Bazin / cartouches peints largilliere” (“Two tall oval canvases with paintings: Mme Bazin painted cartouches by Largilliere”). Also with label likely removed during previous conservation and affixed to modern card stock that reads “No. 323/4408 / [illegible].” Two additional labels are also affixed to back of frame, one with canvas information including dimensions in centimeters, and another numbered “72” along with illegible text. The paintings are housed in oval giltwood frames with identical measurements (Sight: 30 1/2 in. H x 24 in. W. Canvas: 31 3/4 in. H x 25 1/4 in. W. Framed: 35 1/2 in. H x 28 1/2 in. W).

PROVENANCE: Deaccessioned by the Hunter Museum of American Art.

CONDITION: 1st item: Overall very good condition. Canvas has been relined. With fine craquelure throughout, primarily absent from skin. Multiple campaigns of restoration and associated retouching, primarily outside of figure, largest area to mantle at lower left, 1 1/4 inch x 1 inch. See UV photography. Frame with gilt losses. 2nd item: Overall very good condition. Canvas has been relined. With fine craquelure throughout, especially to hair. Multiple campaigns of restoration and associated retouching primarily outside of figure, largest area to upper right along top of hair, 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch. See UV photography. Frame with gilt losses.