Mid 18th Century Oil Painting Depicting a Scene with Courtesans on Canvas

Title : Spanish Conversation, in the style of Carle Van LooWe present you this wonderful 18th century oil on canvas painting depicting three French courtesans, a nobleman, and his faithful dog amidst a grand palatial setting with arcades and a scenic natural view in the back. The scene is executed with great skill and precision, displaying a harmonious composition of colours and placement of all the elements and perspective within the artwork.The original signed and dated 1754 at the foot of the column was presented at the Salon of 1755 but it was the engravings that Beauvarlet made of it in 1769 as well as another entitled the Spanish Reading which made them famous. Both paintings had been purchased by the famous Madame Geoffrin and upon her death in 1772 were acquired by Catherine II the Great for the Hermitage Palace in Saint Petersburg where they still remain.Beaumarchais used this engraving to set the setting for Scene 4 of Act II of The Marriage of Figaro.The beautiful wooden gilt frame is from the 18th century too and add a great value to the work.The artwork measures 72 cm in height and 60 cm in width without the frame and 92 cm in height and 80 cm in width with the frame.