Masterful early portrait of a noble woman created in the early 19 century and attributed to french portrait painter Henri Francois Riesner (1767 -  1828).  The son of a famous cabinet maker of Louis XV and Louis XVI, he became a pupil of Vestier , Vincent and some say of David. Having shown a few works at the Salon in 1793, he became embroiled in the Revolution, a period that saw his family ruined. He returned to painting portraits and notably painted Napoleon. He exhibited at the Salon until 1816 when he left for Russia, working there for 7 years, painting the Emperor Alexandre in this period. Returning to France he exhibited again, and notably was the uncle of Eugene Delacroix. Museums in Moscow, Leningrad, Versailles among others show his works.

 Inscription: unsigned

Technique: oil on canvas. Original period frame.

Measurements: oval unframed w 22" x h 27 2/3" (55.5 x 70.5 cm), framed w 30" x h 35 2/3" (76 x 90.5 cm)

Condition: in very good condition