B Wilson delin. W.m Humphrey fecit. R Sayer Ecudit.
London Printed for Rob.t Sayer N.o 53 in Fleet Street, Published as the Act Directs 1.st Dec.r 1779.
Fine & rare mezzotint proof before title, 395 x 280mm (15½ x 11"), with very large margins.
Three-quarter-length standing portrait of Madame du Barry, turned to the right and glancing at the viewer, leaning her left elbow on a table, or windowsill, while holding a cameo, her right hand resting on her wrist, dressed in a low-neck gown with a pearl choker and pearls in her hair, with a curtain to the left and a landscape seen through a window on the right. Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry (1743-93) was the last mistress of King Louis XV of France, she was renowned for her influence in the court of Versailles. During the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution, Jeanne was imprisoned over accusations of treason by her servant Zamor; particularly being suspected of assisting émigrés to flee from the Revolution. She was executed by guillotine on 8th December 1793.
CS 8 I of III. Ex: collection of The Hon. Christopher Lennox-Boyd.
[Ref: 68621]  £480.00