DESCRIPTION:
Miniature: English watercolor and gouache portrait of Vincenzo Lunardi an early aeronaut, in an oval gold frame with raised detail, set within a larger gilt plaster and wood floral frame, oval framed portrait measures 80mm x 95mm, gilt outer frame measures 193mm x 207mm, portrait is unsigned, however the front edge is marked "1759, Vincenzo Lunardi, 1806" above the miniature and "R. Cosway, R.A." beneath, the back is also signed. Lunardi made the first balloon ascent in England in 1784. A lithograph of this portrait attributed to Cosway is shown at the National Portrait Gallery in London. From the collection of former US ambassadors to France and Belgium.
CONDITION:
Portrait condition is fair with two vertical cracks the entire height of the portrait, one through the middle of Lunardi's face, the other to the left of the portrait; frame shows plaster cracks on front and back with some repairs but is mostly intact, only one small chip is missing form bottom right edge that is only visible from the bottom. Back mounting hardware not original. Items in this portrait miniature collection are written up to the best of our knowledge. It is up to bidders to make final determination as to value. Any additional information that is shared to us will be passed along to the public by updating our descriptions.
PRICE SOLD:
$425
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