Most Beautiful Painting We Have EVER HAD~

"Fille avec la Colombe"

 (Girl with the Dove)

Attributed to Antoine Vestier

C. 1790

This is one of the most beautiful paintings we have ever been fortunate enough to handle. It is totally EXQUISITE in both subject  matter and execution, and defines all the most sacred things people adore about French art~the beautiful woman, the portrayal of innocence, and the love and adoration of the greatest symbol of peace~the dove.

The painting comes from the estate of Amory Winthrop, a accomplished horsewoman, and daughter of the very successful Boston lawyer and chair of Harvard University, Robert Winthrop. The painting had descended in the family for a few generations, and was attributed to Vestier by the esteemed Doyle Auction House in New York City.

Vestier's painting's, even in the down economy typically bring in an average of $25,000 on the art market. Some of his more beautiful works reach upwards of $100,000. He lived from 1740-1824 and actually specialized in painting miniature portraits. In 1785 he decided he wanted to exhibit at the Paris Salon and took up painting full sized portraits which were highly well received.

His style is what can only be described as "extreme realism", his painting technique so precise and so life like that his subjects look as if to step out of their frame and literally exist right in front of you. His colors while bold and brazen remain lifelike, and his attention to detail is as close to any great master one could bring to mind, including the later perfectionists such a Bouguereau, and earlier masters such as Caravaggio. And like Caravaggio, nothing escapes his paintbrush-even the doves toenails rest divinely on her fingers!

Vestier captures beauty and romantic fantasy, but also manages to be real, her fingernails are not perfectly clean, her dress bodice remains somewhat undone, perhaps in suggestion of sensuality, or more perhaps in the portrayal of not an esteemed court lady but rather a young lady from a higher class family.

Her face expresses so much of what French masters chased all through the 18th century, innocence, beauty, and youth~and here in one perfect face we have all of that!
 

The dove is given as much attention as his mistress, his face both expressive and sweet, his body covered in profusely detailed feathers. All of the other elements surrounding them, the lace, silk, and flesh, all have their distinct detailing and incredible color.

The pose is very innovative, relaxed yet naturalistically posed.

the face and eyes are just MASTERFULLY done.

Frame is not original but custom made.

Painting has been professionally relined, and they did do a magnificent job, painting is very stable and flat.

Original canvas is thick woven 18th century and mounted via wax method to new stable canvas.

Stretcher is hand sawn lumber and could perhaps still be the original.

There appears to be a line all across the upper portion (background)-whether there was a complete separation or not is unknown.

There is some light even craquelure in various areas from age, and certainly to be expected from a painting over 200 years old.

Original canvas has been completely laid to a new support.

No signature found on painting.