Circle of Jean-Marc Nattier (French, 1685-1766)

Portrait miniature of a lady, possibly Marie-Anne de Mailly-Nesle, duchesse de Châteauroux (1717-1744), wearing a blue figured dress, and her half-sister, Henriette de Bourbon (1725-1780), wearing an embroidered gown and hat with a white ostrich feather
watercolour on vellum
indistinctly inscribed verso 'M...C... / ... Louis XV'
set into a gold-plated frame in fausse-montre style
5cm diameter

The principal sitter bears a close resemblance to the duchesse de Châteauroux, a mistress of King Louis XV of France, most famously depicted by Jean-Marc Nattier. One of five notable de Nesle sisters, four of whom would become the mistress of the king, Marie-Anne was renowned for her blue eyes and childlike smile, features likewise depicted in the present portrait.

Condition Report
Miniature in excellent condition with no losses to the paintwork or damage to the support.  Colours vibrant and original.  Frame in good, stable condition with minor surface wear to the reverse.