Masterfully miniature on ivory from the early 19th century, came from a Viennese miniature collection , although unsigned, however has all stylistic criteria to be attributed to the hand of famous Austrian neoclassical miniature portrait painter Josef (Giuseppe) Grassi (1757-1838), Josef Grassi was born ca 1758 in an Italian family , which lived in Vienna from the 17th century. In 1768, 10 years old, he began studying at the Vienna Academy, and very soon achieved great success, especially among women, as a skilled portraitist, miniaturist and later as painter of larger portraits in oil. In 1791 Grassi was admitted as member to the Vienna Academy for his portrait works. Already in 1790, through, he moved to Poland. In Warsaw, on the recommendation of J.-B. Lampi, he got the vacancy of a painter at the court of the Polish King Stanislaus August II. In 1793, upon Lampi´s return to Vienna, Grassi advanced to the favorite portraitist of Polish court and high aristocracy.1797 was obviously the year of Grassi´s first visit in Castle Sagan in Silezia (now Czech Republic). Later stays at the castle followed. The duchess von Sagan is supposed to be the person who helped Grassi to commissions and to Academy professor title (1800) in Dresden, where he taught along with Anton Graff. During next years the artist spent a year in Gotha, and from 1808 to 1820 lived in Rome, enjoying great popularity. From 1821 he lived in Dresden again, leading a secluded life without any official job. He died there in 1838.

Provenance: a Viennese miniature collection.

Literature: Thieme/Becker "Allgemeines Lexikon der bildenden Künsler..", Leipzig, 1999; Prof.H.Fuchs "Austrian Miniature Artists"(in german), Vienna, 1975

Inscription: unsigned .

Technique: gouache on ivory. Original period wood frame with bronze mount.

Measurements: unframed w 2 1/3 " x h 3" (6 x 7,5 cm), framed w 3 3/4" x h 4 1/8" ( 9,5 x 10,5 cm).

Condition: in good condition, no cracks or restorations.