PAINTED PORCELAIN PLAQUE THE ENCHANTER. HORTENSE RICHARD (1847–1900). FRANCE, LATE 19TH CENTURY

An exquisite painted porcelain plaque by the French artist Hortense Richard (1847–1900), executed after a composition by James Bertrand. Entitled The Enchanter, the work presents a refined allegory of the art of music, imbued with the elegance and subtle irony characteristic of French Academic painting of the second half of the nineteenth century. The composition depicts Euterpe, the ancient Muse of Music, seated nude within an idyllic landscape while performing upon a double flute, engaging in a poetic musical dialogue with a singing nightingale. Although their voices belong to different realms, that of human artistry and that of nature, their encounter creates a graceful yet subtly paradoxical harmony.

The elongated vertical format, restrained palette and delicate modelling recall the aesthetic of Classical Roman fresco painting and the decorative traditions of Antiquity, reinterpreted through the lens of French Historicism. The painting demonstrates remarkable atmospheric subtlety, refined figure modelling and a level of execution characteristic of the finest Parisian porcelain painting ateliers of the late nineteenth century. The artists signature appears in the lower right corner. The reverse of both the porcelain plaque and its frame bears the title of the work together with the details of the artists Parisian studio.

Marks: The reverse of the plaque and frame bears the title of the work together with the details of the artists Parisian studio.

Dimensions: Plaque: 32 × 11.5 cm.

Condition: Good collectors condition.

Provenance: Private collection.