Description Pierre Mignard (French, 1612-1695), "Marie-Madeleine Pioche de la Vergne, Comtesse de La Fayette (1634-1693)", oil on canvas, unsigned, partial handwritten labels with artist, date and sitter en verso, 32 in. x 25 in., framed with artist and title plaque. Note: The Countess of La Fayette, known to many as ?Madame de Lafayette,? was born Marie-Madeleine Pioche de la Vergne in 1634 in Paris. Her family were wealthy and prominent minor nobles, and she married Fran?ois Motier, Count of La Fayette, in 1655. As a young woman, she received an excellent education at court as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Regent Anne of Austria, whose son would become Louis XIV upon reaching his majority. Due to her education and the fact that her parents often entertained writers, philosophers, and scholars during her childhood, it is not surprising that Madame de La Fayette developed an interest in writing. Publishing anonymously or under a pen name, Madame de La Fayette wrote seven novels, including her most famous work The Princess of Cleves. As a successful and prolific portrait painter, Pierre Mignard would have had many opportunities to paint nobility such as the Countess of La Fayette. Mignard came from a family of artisans, and both he and his brother, Nicolas, became painters. Studying with prominent artists of the time such as Simon Vouet, Jean Bouchet and Nicolas Poussin, Mignard became known in Rome for his religious paintings. Leaving Rome for Paris, he became even more well known for his portraits; among his most famous sitters are the playwright Molière and the mathematician René Descartes. Known for his rich palette with jewel-like tones and fine brushwork, this portrait of Madame de La Fayette is a beautiful example of Mignard?s skill.
Condition Report All lots are sold ?As is? and ?Where is?. Neal Auction provides condition reports on items with a low estimate over $500 as a courtesy to aid in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalogue or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. Completed condition reports are posted as an additional image with the lot. Neal Auction does not give refunds