School of Largillierre, Portrait of a Lady of the Verheyden Family. The original frame is black lacquered wood with gilt insert.
Nicolas de Largilliere (1656-1746), was born in Paris, then moved to Antwerp at the age of three. At the age of eighteen he moved to England and was so successful that Charles 11 wanted him to stay in his service but he refused for religious reasons, although he did paint some portraits for James 11.
After settling in Paris in 1689 he established himself as a leading portraitist. He specialised in portaits of the rich middle classes unlike his contemporary Rigaud who painted the arostocracy. His successful career continued into hi old age and in his eighties he was director of the Academie Royale in Paris.
