Rare 18k c.1795-99 Portrait Miniature, Incroyables Young Man Pink Hair, Luxuriants post French Revolution, Directoire

V RARE portrait miniature, “Incroyables et Merveilleuses” – (incredibles and marvelous) the slightly smug face of a spoiled rich fashionable Parisian making political statement. An exquisite but unsigned French portrait miniature, outlandish pink hair or topper wig, dog-ears fashion which along with the massive cravat and jaunty printed vest, and pale green broad-lapel waistcoat sets him squarely into the “Incroyables”, c.1795-1799. this blue-eyed young man who wears an elaborate white cravat with gold pin, and the ribbon of the Revolution (thick-wrapped cravat – reminder of the neck wounds of the guillotined Royals). He might well have been one of the wealthy students at the 1832 student uprising, Paris, barricade of a real-life Les Miserables, but in fact he dates earlier. The portrait is, I am certain, c.1795-99, instead, mean he is an aristocrat in support of Royalty overthrown and beheaded in The Terror. “Mods” in their time. A fashion celebrating excess, riches, these young people scandalized Paris in the days after the execution of Robespierre. The history is wonderful and must be read. The fat cravat is a typical sign of support and memorial to those aristocrats who were overthrown in the French Revolution, late 1700s. So he’s somewhere between 1795 to 1799 when the fashion exuberance faded. Opening his 18k locket-style frame, I find it stuffed with 8 hand colored c.1700s playing cards, cut to fit. Surely they had some significance to this Incroyable. A suggestion on back that he is “probably” Pierre-Antoine HERWYN. If so, you will find him in Wikipedia and other references. Do read – All the history is so interesting. After reading, however, I do not think this is the correct identity. 

Very good to excellent throughout, the painting is beautifully crafted, definitely a noted artist but unsigned. Housed perfectly beneath the original convex cover glass (front and back one missing), the painting and a 18k gold frame (acid tested), and elevates the offering as such. The miniature is 2 5/8″ diameter in frame.  That face is just 3/4″ from chin to receding pink hairline, yet look at the confidence, perhaps even defiance, in his visage. Could be considered fine jewelry, a pendant. A superb museum quality miniature and, true to his economic status, 18k gold. Convex glass is original, and no damage to it nor the painting. Note that the cover glass on backside is missing entirely.