A pair of extremaly qualitative miniatures by important miniature,portrait and allegorical Italian painter Natale Schiavoni (1777 Chioggia by Venice - 1858 Venice). He was a pupil of Francesco Magiotto and Raphael Morghen. First he was active in Venice and Florence and between 1802 and 1810 the best portrait miniaturist in Triest. In 1810 he settled down in Milan as the favorite portraitist of the court. Schiavoni followed in 1816 an invitation of the Kaiser (Emperor) Franz I to the court in Vienna, where the artist stayed until 1821. Later he lived in Venice, where he established his famous Palazzo Giustinniani and became a Professor of the Academy in 1840. He was called by his contemporaries "Pittore delle grazie" for his charming female portraits.

Inscription: both signed lower right: "schiavoni fec. (fecit) by the woman portrait and "N.Schiavoni " by the gentlman portrait

Technique: gouache on ivory. Original period wood frames with bronze matt.

Measurements: unframed w 2 1/2 " x h 2 3/4" (6 x 7 cm), framed w 4 3/8 " x h 5 1/2 " (11,3 x 14 cm).

Condition: in very good condition.