Louis XVI Paintings

XVIII century Rural scenes (4) Tempera on paper, 20 x 31 cm With 18th century Venetian mirrored frame, 31 x 39 cm.

An 18th century painting of a gallant scene in a park. Attributed with seal of painter's studio to Philippe Mercier (1689 to 1760) from the circle of the french painter Nicolas Lancret, a follower of the École of Antoine Watteau. Oil on canvas, in a fine carved giltwood frame. Frame: Width: 16,53 in (42 cm) Depth: 14,56 in (37 cm) Canvas: Width: 12,99 in (33 cm) Depth: 10,62 in (27 cm) Philippe Mercier (Berlin 1689 – London 1760) born in Berlin and studied at the Berlin Akademie with Antoine Pesne before traveling to Italy and France. By the time he arrived in London in 1716, had considerable familiarity with the work of contemporary French painters, particularly Watteau and his sophisticated style. Soon won Watteau patronage in court circles. In 1726 painted two important group portraits that can be seen as an introduction to English art - Baron Schultz and his friends (1725, Tate Gallery, London) and Viscount Tyrconnel with his family (1725-6, private collection). In 1729, Mercier was appointed Chief Painter to Frederick, Prince of Wales, and, a year later, keeper of his library, but they seem to have fallen away in the latter half of the 1730s, when he retired to the country, where painted several portraits for the Samwell family of Upton, Northants, and Hesilriges of Noseley, Warwicks. In 1739 Mercier moved to York, where he built up a considerable portrait practice among the leading families in the county. It was at this time that he made his greatest contribution to British painting, introducing and developing the 'extravagant image', a genre derived from Chardin as well as Watteau and 17th-century Dutch genre painting. Described by George Vertue as "bit of some conversational figures as large as life: vain plaisant Fantasies and habits: mixed modes very well done – and very approved", such works were frequently recorded and clearly enjoyed considerable success. Painted in the second half of the 1730s, the present work, An Allegory of Taste, is a fine example of this way of painting and its Rococo sensibility reveals the artist's affinities with contemporary French art...

Once installed architecturally in a chateau in Normandy, France, this large pair of overdoors was painted in the 1700s and executed in a technique known as verdaille. Verdaille utilizes various shades of green to achieve a mesmerizing monochromatic effect. This technique’s rich history traces back to the 12th century when it was initially employed to create stained glass for Cistercian monasteries, where colorful art was prohibited, making these overdoors not only aesthetically captivating but also a piece of living art history. Interestingly, there is a hand-written transport note on the back of one of the overdoors (see detail photo) that mentions the paintings were to be shipped to a Madame DeFrance in Paris, at the rue St. Honore corner of la rue Dufour (freight pre-paid). These exquisite pieces are encompassed by wood frames adorned with lavish foliate carvings, beautifully painted in a soothing French gray hue. Each overdoor encapsulates a unique musical scene that transports you to the heart of 18th-century Europe. In the first painting, a man plays the uilleann pipe, a unique instrument with a bellow-driven mechanism that distinguishes it from a bagpipe. The musician has quite an audience, as two women, one cradling a sheep, and four more sheep next to a dog have gathered nearby. In the second painting, witness a captivating moment of courtship as a gentleman kneels before a woman with a tambourine in her hands. He presents a long woodwind instrument, possibly a carnyx, while a faithful dog rests nearby amidst a backdrop of gardening tools. These stunning French verdaille overdoors were once part of a themed boiserie room (most likely green in color and centered around music). They can once again be used to create a theme above a pair of interior doors or they can be hung as a unique set of artwork.

A late 18th century French painting depicting a romantic couple in a pastoral setting. Oil on canvas. Unsigned. Original gilded wood frame. Small repair to canvas in the upper left c...

This colorful and gleeful genre painting is from France, circa 1770. Genre paintings depict people engaged in common activities, such as picnicking, strolling through a park, or romantic settings. In the 17th and 18th centuries, paintings of this style typically came from France, The Netherlands, and Belgium. This particular painting can be considered to be after Nicolas Lancret...

A gouache on paper Indian school garden scene, in very much untouched country house condition. Housed in a later 19th century glazed maple frame, with silver gilt slip. Age relate...

This elegant antique painting on canvas was created in France, circa 1760. The colorful composition features a romantic scene with a gentlem...

We present you this exquisite 18th-century coastal tableau that captures the collaborative efforts of both men and women weaving baskets along the shore while men prepare for a fishi...

Very pretty navy at dusk in medallion in its gilded wooden frame. Animated by 2 characters in the foreground, we can see a boat behind the fort, a second just ahead in the cove. Very...

Fantastic pair of late 20th century paintings by Ira Yeager (1938-2022). "Unseigneur Francois" and "La Duchesse de Modena" oil on canvas paintings measurin...

A French oil on canvas country scene from the late 18th century, set inside a pine frame. Born in France during the later years of Louis XVI's reign, this charming scene depicts a fa...

French white painted and gilt framed oval oil painting of ladies in garden (DuBois) (19th Century).